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Mariana

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-ree-AH-nah /ˌmær.iˈɑː.nə/High

Meaning: Combination of Mary (bitter, beloved) and Ana (grace); grace of Mary; sea of graceHigh

In 30 seconds: A graceful four-syllable name blending Mary ('bitter, beloved') and Ana ('grace'). A classic of the Spanish-speaking world, Mariana has a flowing elegance that makes it one of the most beautiful compound names in use.
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Origin HighHebrew, Latin
MeaningCombination of Mary (bitter, beloved) and Ana (grace); grace of Mary; sea of grace
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 36,053

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200518882017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mariana is a compound of the names Mary and Ana (or Anne). Mary derives from Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'beloved,' 'bitter,' or 'wished-for child'; Ana/Anne derives from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace.' The combined name has been used across Spain and Latin America since at least the medieval period. A form of Mariana also appeared in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.

Mariana has been a top name across Spain, Portugal, and Latin America for centuries. In the United States it has ranked in the top 200 girls' names for many years, driven by the large Hispanic community. It offers the cultural familiarity of both Mary and Ana in a single flowing package.

Did you know? The Mariana Trench — the deepest point in any ocean, over 36,000 feet deep — was named after the Mariana Islands, which were in turn named after Queen Mariana of Austria (1634–1696). The name literally reaches to the deepest depths.

Variations

MariannaMaryanneMarianne

Nicknames

MaryAnaMariRia

Famous Bearers

  • ★Queen Mariana of Austria (1634–1696)
    Queen consort of Spain (wife of Philip IV) and regent; the Mariana Islands were named in her honor.

If you like Mariana…

Valentina— four-syllable Spanish classic with the same flowing romantic elegance
Catalina— Spanish form of Katherine, similarly four syllables and melodic

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mariana mean?

Mariana blends Mary (from Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'beloved' or 'bitter') and Ana (from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace'), giving a combined meaning of 'grace of Mary.'

How do you pronounce Mariana?

Mariana is pronounced mah-ree-AH-nah (/ˌmær.iˈɑː.nə/) — four syllables with stress on the third.

Is Mariana a boy or girl name?

Mariana is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Mariana?

Mariana has been a consistent top-200 U.S. girls' name for decades, especially popular in Latino communities.