"beloved, wished-for child"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
Mariela
Does Mariela flow with your last name?
A melodious Spanish diminutive of María with romantic grace
Spanish
Italian
Latin American
Portuguese
Elegant
Romantic
Classic
Gentle
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mariela
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Mariela
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"star of the sea"
Origin: Latin
Language: Spanish
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mariela
See all →What the Mariela report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mariela the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mariela
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mariela head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Mariela actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mariela
Mariela is a Spanish and Italian diminutive of Maria, itself from the Hebrew Miriam. The name's meaning combines theories about Maria: most commonly associated with 'beloved' or 'wished-for child,' or from the Latin 'mare' meaning sea, giving the interpretation 'star of the sea.' Mariela adds a tender, diminutive suffix that is characteristic of Spanish and Italian naming traditions.
Mariela has been a steady presence in Latin American countries, particularly in Argentina, Cuba, and Mexico. It maintains classic appeal without being overused, offering parents the familiar María root with a more distinctive extended form. Cuban actress Mariela Bejerano and similar public figures have maintained its visibility.
Mariela Castro Espín, daughter of Raúl Castro, has been a prominent activist for LGBTQ rights in Cuba, bringing the name into contemporary political discourse. In broader Latin American culture, Mariela represents the warm, melodious naming tradition that values both beauty and religious heritage.
Historical Record
Mariela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1958.
Over 11,475 babies have been named Mariela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mariela is past its peak , currently ranked #1,323 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mariela Castro Espín, daughter of Cuban President Raúl Castro, is known for her advocacy for LGBTQ rights in Cuba
- The name Mariela appears frequently in Latin American telenovelas and soap operas
- Maria and its variants are the most widely used name in the world across all languages and cultures
Mariela in Other Languages
French
Mariela
English
Mariela
Italian
Mariella
Spanish
Mariela
Portuguese
Mariela
Popularity Over Time
#1,323
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1992
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mariela
M
Mariela Fabbiani
Entertainer
1976
Argentine television presenter and actress, one of the most recognizable faces in Argentine television
M
Mariela Castro Espín
Activist
1962
Cuban sexologist, politician, and director of CENESEX, known for advocating LGBTQ rights in Cuba
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Cassandr
Girl
"to shine upon men"
#1,450
Annabella
Girl
"graceful beauty"
#1,314
Aida
Girl
"returning, distinguished"
#1,244
Baila
Girl
"to dance"
#1,431
Rosalind
Girl
"beautiful rose"
#1,474
Compare Mariela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,323
- Total SSA Count
- 173
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian Latin American Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mari
Ela
Riel
Mariel
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mariela
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mariela fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Mariela is also used as a boy name, ranked #11590.
View Mariela as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Mariela →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mariela with...
Same Origin Names (Spanish)
See all Spanish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mariela
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mariela and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mariela sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Cassandr
Girl
Ancient Greek origin
"to shine upon men"
#1,450 in US
Annabella
Girl
Latin/Hebrew origin
"graceful beauty"
#1,314 in US
Aida
Girl
Arabic origin
"returning, distinguished"
#1,244 in US
Baila
Girl
Yiddish origin
"to dance"
#1,431 in US
Rosalind
Girl
Latin origin
"beautiful rose"
#1,474 in US
Damaris
Girl
Greek damalis origin
"heifer, young calf"
#1,439 in US
Adalina
Girl
Germanic/Old German origin
"noble, nobility"
#1,305 in US
Naiari
Girl
Basque origin
"graceful, swift"
#1,214 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mariela's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mariela
What does the name Mariela mean?
"beloved, wished-for child" (from Hebrew). "star of the sea" (from Latin). Mariela is a Spanish and Italian diminutive of Maria, itself from the Hebrew Miriam. The name's meaning combines theories about Maria: most commonly associated with 'beloved' or 'wished-for child,' or from the Latin 'mare' meaning sea, giving the interpretation 'star of the sea.' Mariela adds a tender, diminutive suffix that is characteristic of Spanish and Italian naming traditions.
What is the origin of the name Mariela?
Mariela has Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, Italian, Latin American, and Portuguese origins. In Hebrew, it means "beloved, wished-for child". In Latin, it means "star of the sea".
Is Mariela a boy or girl name?
Mariela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1323. As a boy name, it is ranked #11590. Mariela is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Mariela?
Mariela is currently ranked #1323 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mariela?
Common nicknames for Mariela include Mari, Ela, Riel, and Mariel.
What are good middle names for Mariela?
Popular middle name pairings include Mariela Guadalupe, Mariela Isabel, Mariela Sofía, Mariela Valentina, Mariela Cruz, Mariela Elena, and Mariela Alejandra.
What are good sibling names for Mariela?
Names that pair well with Mariela as siblings include Gabriela, Daniela, Alejandro, Sebastian, Isabella, Valentina, Emilio, and Camila.
How many syllables does Mariela have?
Mariela has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mariela a common or rare name?
Mariela is an uncommon name, ranked #1323 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Mariela?
About the Name Mariela
Mariela is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Latin American, and Portuguese origins . The name means "beloved, wished-for child" in Hebrew .
Is Mariela a boy or girl name? Mariela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,323 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,590. Mariela is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mariela is currently ranked #1,323 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mariela has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mariela include Mari, Ela, Riel, and Mariel. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mariela include Maria, Mariana, Mariah, Mariam, Marie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mariela
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis