Mariah

Mariah is an English given name that emerged as an elaborated form of Maria, itself the Latinate rendering of the Hebrew name Miriam, whose exact meaning is debated but often interpreted as meaning beloved, sea of bitterness, or drop of the sea. The spelling with the final h may reflect influence from the older English form Moriah or simply a stylistic variation that gave the name a more elaborate, lyrical quality. It gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world during the nineteenth century and again in the late twentieth century, partly through the fame of American singer Mariah Carey. Related forms include Maria, Mary, Marie, and Miriam.