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Mariel

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAIR-ee-el /ˈmɛər.i.ɛl/High

Meaning: Dutch and German diminutive of Maria, itself from Hebrew Miryam; the meaning of Mary is debated but traditional interpretations include beloved, star of the sea (from Latin stella maris), or drop of the sea (from Hebrew mar-yam: bitter waters or drop of the sea)High

In 30 seconds: Mariel is a Dutch and German diminutive of Maria, sharing the ancient Hebrew root of Mary — traditionally translated as star of the sea or drop of the sea — and used as an elegant three-syllable variant of the classic name.
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Origin HighHebrew, French, Dutch
MeaningDutch and German diminutive of Maria, itself from Hebrew Miryam; the meaning of Mary is debated but traditional interpretations include beloved, star of the sea (from Latin stella maris), or drop of the sea (from Hebrew mar-yam: bitter waters or drop of the sea)
U.S. rank (2025)#893 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births298 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,480

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519142025

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

History & Origin

Mariel is a diminutive or pet form of Maria/Marie, which comes from Hebrew Miryam (the original Hebrew form of Mary). The etymology of Miryam is one of the most debated in onomastics; proposed meanings include bitter, beloved, wished-for child, and drop of the sea, while the medieval Latin phrase stella maris (star of the sea) became associated with Mary through theological tradition rather than strict etymology. Mariel as a form appears in Dutch and German naming traditions.

Mariel is also a Cuban place name — the Bay of Mariel and the town of Mariel on Cuba's northern coast — best known internationally from the 1980 Mariel boatlift, during which more than 125,000 Cubans emigrated to the United States. Actress Mariel Hemingway, born 1961, carries the name in its Cuban geographic form, having been named for the town. The name sits between Maria (traditional) and Ariel/Muriel (rhyming companion names) and appeals to parents who want a familiar-yet-distinctive Mary variant.

Did you know? Mariel Hemingway, the granddaughter of novelist Ernest Hemingway, is perhaps the most prominent contemporary bearer of this name — and is named not for her grandfather but for the Cuban port city of Mariel, which was her mother's hometown.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Mariel — etymology and usage

Variations

MariellMarielaMurielAriel

Nicknames

MariEllie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mariel Hemingway (1961–present)
    American actress and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, known for her role in Manhattan (1979) for which she received an Academy Award nomination.

If you like Mariel…

Mariela— Spanish elaboration of the same Maria root with an extra syllable and identical feel
Miriam— the original Hebrew form of Mary sharing Mariel's ancient root and gentle sound
Muriel— phonetically similar three-syllable variant name with comparable vintage charm
Ariel— three-syllable name with a similar -iel ending and lyrical, feminine character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mariel mean?

Mariel is a diminutive of Maria, sharing Mary's Hebrew root Miryam; traditional meanings include star of the sea or beloved.

How do you pronounce Mariel?

It is said MAIR-ee-el — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mariel a Spanish name?

Mariel is used in Spanish-speaking countries as a form of Maria, and is also a Cuban geographic name, but its oldest forms are Dutch and German.

Who is Mariel Hemingway?

Mariel Hemingway is an American actress and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, named for the Cuban port town of Mariel.