Mary

Mary is a Hebrew-origin feminine name from the Hebrew Miryam, one of the most enduring female names in all of recorded history. The precise meaning is debated — possibilities include 'sea of bitterness,' 'beloved,' or 'wished-for child' — but its cultural significance is unparalleled across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

Mary is perhaps the most universally recognized name in the Western world. Its association with the Virgin Mary has kept it in continuous use for two thousand years, and its qualities — gentleness, compassion, quiet strength — translate beautifully to a beloved pet. As a pet name, Mary has a slightly unexpected quality that makes it charming: it is so associated with human history that giving it to a dog or cat creates a warm, humanizing intimacy. Mary suits the gentlest, most devoted pets who seem to embody pure, unconditional love.