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It is actually being revived. During the first half of the 20th century it was used by maybe 70% of women. Then it fell out of fashion between the 70's and the 90's, when it was replaced by Ana. Until recently, it was very unusual to be called "just" Maria - it was seen as a "peasants" name. Now it's the poshest of trend (again, because most grandmothers and old women don't go by Maria, but by Conceição, Lurdes, Fátima, Dores, and so on).

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Still, its huge popularity is a little erroneous because (like Ana) it is still very much used as the first half of a double name - Maria Inês, Maria Beatriz - where the girl always goes by the second name.