Maria is predominantly known as a name of biblical origin (Mary). I'd like to point out that a form of Maria -- Maira -- also appeared in Greek mythology.
Maira appears in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey as well as in the work of Pausanias. Maira is derived from the verb "marmairo", meaning "to shine, to sparkle". The name was given to the dog star (the Sparkler)and to Hecuba when she was turned into a bitch.
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http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2364570)