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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mariza

Mariza

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-REE-zah /maˈɾi.za/Medium

Meaning: A Spanish and Portuguese pet form and elaboration of María/Maria (Mary), close cousin to Marisa and Maritza. The Maria family carries the debated senses 'beloved', 'drop of the sea' and 'bitter'.Low

In 30 seconds: Mariza is a warm Spanish and Portuguese spin on Maria — Mary, dressed in three soft beats (said 'mah-REE-zah').
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Origin MediumSpanish, Portuguese
MeaningA Spanish and Portuguese pet form and elaboration of María/Maria (Mary), close cousin to Marisa and Maritza. The Maria family carries the debated senses 'beloved', 'drop of the sea' and 'bitter'.
U.S. rank (2024)#14580 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,142

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519612024

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

Mariza grew from María/Maria — the Spanish and Portuguese form of Mary — as an affectionate elaboration, in the same nest as Marisa and Maritza. The Maria root itself is debated, read variously as 'beloved', 'drop of the sea' or 'bitter'. It is best known today as a Portuguese and Latin American given name (said 'mah-REE-zah').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely, carried mostly by Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking families. Rare, melodic, and heritage-rich.

Did you know? Mariza sits in the huge Maria family alongside Marisa and Maritza — a pet form that took on its own life, and a name known in Portugal through fado singing (said 'mah-REE-zah').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Mariza — Spanish/Portuguese elaboration of Maria; Maria root debated

Variations

MarisaMaritzaMarissa

Nicknames

MariRizaZaza

Famous Bearers

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If you like Mariza…

Marisa— the closest sister form of the same root
Maritza— another Maria elaboration with the same z-sound
Marisol— a like Spanish Maria compound
Mariela— a like warm Spanish elaboration

Explore names like Mariza

By themeheritagespanishportugueseclassic-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mariza mean?

Mariza is a Spanish and Portuguese elaboration of Maria (Mary), a name read variously as 'beloved', 'drop of the sea' or 'bitter'.

How do you pronounce Mariza?

It's said mah-REE-zah /maˈɾi.za/ — three syllables, stress on the middle one.

Is Mariza a boy or girl name?

Mariza is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Mariza?

Mariza is a rare name for girls in the U.S., most often used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking families.

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