Not too long ago, it was also pronounced mah-RYE-uh, similar to Mariah Carey's name. In Ireland, in the late 19th c. many women pronounced it this way.
My friend's grandmother's name was Maria prounounced like MAHR-EYE-UH.
― Anonymous User 10/4/2008
3
This spelling is also pronounced Ma-rye-a which is Scottish or Ma' ria - heavy on the Ma which is Anglo. I was named after a Scottish great-grandmother who pronounced the spelling of her name Maria as Ma-rye-a.
― Anonymous User 2/12/2007
1
In some parts of Norway it is pronounced as the Finnish and Dutch Marja. But it is written like Maria.
― Anonymous User 12/12/2006
1
The old English pronunciation of Maria was the same as Mariah. Ths pronunciation went out of fashion in the 19th and 20th centuries with European influence.