vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Juan" is a proper noun which is often translated as "John", and "María" is a proper noun which is often translated as "Mary". Learn more about the difference between "Juan" and "María" below.
Juan(
hwahn
)
A proper noun refers to the name of a person, place, or thing.
proper noun
a. John
Juan Caboto fue un explorador cuyo nombre en italiano era Giovanni Caboto.John Cabot was an explorer whose name in Italian was Giovanni Caboto.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
María(
mah
-
ree
-
ah
)
A proper noun refers to the name of a person, place, or thing.
proper noun
a. Mary
El nombre de mi madre es María y el mío es Mariana.My mother's name is Mary and mine is Mary Ann.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.