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Marielle

♀ Girl

Pronounced MA-yehl /ma.ʁjɛl/Medium

Meaning: Sea of bitternessMedium

In 30 seconds: Marielle is a French name meaning 'sea of bitterness', a diminutive within the Mary family. The -elle ending gives it a delicate, distinctly French finish.
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Origin MediumFrench
MeaningSea of bitterness
U.S. rank (2024)#1755 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births115 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,407

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619202024

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

History & Origin

Marielle means 'sea of bitterness', the traditional sense carried by the Mary names from which it descends. As a French diminutive it softens that ancient name into something light and graceful, and it sits among French relatives like Manon, Mariette, and Marion. The shared Mary root ties the whole group together.

The -elle suffix gives Marielle its airy, feminine close, distinct from the sharper Maryse or the compact Manon. Canadian ski cross racer Marielle Thompson carries the name in international sport.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Marielle is 'sea of bitterness', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Marielle — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ManonMarietteMarionMariseMaryse

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Marielle Thompson (1992–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Marielle…

Marion— Another Mary-derived French name listed among its variations.
Mariella— An Italian-styled diminutive of Mary with the same gentle ending.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Marielle mean?

Marielle is usually explained as meaning 'sea of bitterness' and is most often linked with French tradition.

How do you pronounce Marielle?

It's commonly said MA-yehl /ma.ʁjɛl/.

Is Marielle a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Marielle is used as a girl name.

How popular is Marielle?

In 2024, Marielle ranked #1755 in the U.S. for girls, with 115 births recorded.