[1] Another theory holds that it is derived from reference to the Irish triple Goddess The Morrígan as 'the three Maries'.
[2] It also etymologically refers to the words for 'sea/of the sea' in different languages like Spanish and Portuguese (mar), Old High German (meri), Indogermanic (mari), Irish Gaelic (muirí/mara) or French (mar/marine).
It is also related to the Scottish and Irish language forms for Maria, Mairi and Máire, as well as the Germanic and Danish name Maren.
It is also used as a short form or variation of Maria, especially common in Estonia, the Netherlands and Germany.
There is also the phonetically similar Latvian masculine name Māris with a different root.