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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maritza

Maritza

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-REET-sah /mɑːˈriːt.sɑː/High

Meaning: of the sea, belovedMedium

In 30 seconds: Maritza is a Spanish diminutive of Maria meaning of the sea or beloved. It has vibrant Latin American heritage and a musical three-syllable cadence.
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Origin MediumSpanish, Slavic
Meaningof the sea, beloved
U.S. rank (2025)#2846 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births60 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 23,153

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519452025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Maritza is a Spanish-language diminutive of Maria, combining the beloved Marian name with the affectionate -itza suffix common in Spanish and Slavic languages. Maria ultimately derives from the Hebrew Miriam, possibly meaning beloved or sea of bitterness.

Maritza is widely used in Mexico, Central America, and South America. In the United States, it has been consistently popular in Latino communities. It gained broader visibility through the character Maritza Ramos in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

Did you know? The Maritsa (or Meriç) River in Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey takes its name from an ancient Thracian root — making Maritza both a popular personal name and a great Balkan river name.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name: Maritza — name etymology referenceHanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for MaritzaUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data

Variations

MarisaMaritsaMarizaMaritzia

Nicknames

MariRitzaMarti

Famous Bearers

  • ★Maritza Ramos (fictional)
    Inmate character in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, played by Diane Guerrero.

If you like Maritza…

Marisol— Spanish compound name with the same Mari- prefix
Mariela— Spanish diminutive of Maria with similar warmth
Reina— popular Spanish-heritage feminine name with similar rhythm
Ximena— Spanish feminine name with similar cultural background

Explore names like Maritza

By themespanishthree-syllablediminutivelatin-americanvibrant
By meaningLoveSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Maritza mean?

Maritza means of the sea or beloved, derived as a Spanish diminutive of Maria, from the Hebrew Miriam.

How do you pronounce Maritza?

Maritza is pronounced mah-REET-sah (/mɑːˈriːt.sɑː/), with three syllables.

Is Maritza a girl's name?

Yes, Maritza is a feminine name popular in Latin American and Spanish-speaking communities.

How popular is the name Maritza?

Maritza is consistently popular in Latin American countries and US Latino communities.

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