Mariel Girl

Popularity: #710 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAR-ee-el //ˈmɛr.i.əl//

Origin: Latin; Hebrew

Meaning: Latin: 'star of the sea'; Hebrew: 'bitter'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mariel is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which is believed to mean "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name Miriam was transliterated into Greek as Maria, which later influenced the Latin form Maria. Over time, Maria became a common name in various forms across different languages, including the Old French variant Marie.

The addition of the diminutive suffix "-el" in Mariel suggests a form of endearment or affection, which is common in many cultures. Historically, the name Maria has significant biblical roots, as it is associated with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, who is a central figure in Christianity.

The name has been widely used in Christian contexts, particularly in the Middle Ages, when it became popularized through various saints and religious figures. The name appears in major religious texts, including the Latin Vulgate Bible, which was completed in the late 4th century, and later in the King James Bible in the early 17th century.

The enduring presence of the name in religious and cultural texts has contributed to its lasting significance. Culturally, Mariel carries connotations of grace and femininity, often associated with the virtues of compassion and strength, reflecting the qualities attributed to its biblical namesake.

The name has been embraced in various cultures, often linked to themes of devotion and maternal care. Its melodic sound and affectionate diminutive form resonate in many languages, making it a cherished choice in various traditions.

The name Mariel, while less common than its root forms, encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy that continues to be appreciated.

Famous people named Mariel

In this section, you will find notable people named Mariel. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mariel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mariel who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Mariel Rodriguez is a television host and actress best known for her work on the show 'Mariel en su Salsa' and her appearances on various reality shows.

Fictional characters named Mariel

The following list of fictional characters named Mariel is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Mariel is a fictional character from the novel Mariel of Redwall. She is a brave and determined young otter who embarks on a quest to rescue her friends and protect her home.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mariel, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mariel. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mariel was first seen in the United States in 1914.

Mariel has ranked as high as #975 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Mariel has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mariel is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mariel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Mariel (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 93
49%
CA 42
22%
AZ 18
9%
NY 10
5%
IL 8
4%
NC 8
4%
FL 6
3%
IN 6
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mariel.

YearBirths
2024241
2023183
202294
202180
202096
201979
201896
2017125
2016113
2015112
201488
201395
201275
201185
2010109
2009118
2008121
2007123
2006124
2005118
2004117
2003123
2002133
2001115
2000161
1999130
1998135
1997159
1996174
1995157
1994197
1993202
1992268
1991252
1990196
1989173
1988242
1987196
1986163
1985156
1984117
1983111
1982122
1981123
1980147
197996
197832
197732
197619
197516
197419
197320
197213
197111
197010
196912
19687
19676
19668
19658
19646
19638
19626
19607
19597
195810
19579
195610
195512
19535
19528
195113
19505
194911
19487
194713
194610
19458
194411
19437
194212
194111
194011
193918
193811
193717
193618
193527
193417
193312
193213
193115
193013
192915
192813
192722
192610
192514
19246
19237
192210
192111
19208
19198
19188
19178
19166
19159
19146