Marieke

Marieke is a Dutch and Flemish diminutive of Marie, itself the French and Latin form of the Hebrew name Miryam, whose exact root meaning is debated but is often interpreted as beloved, bitter, or drop of the sea. The diminutive suffix -ke is characteristic of Low German and Dutch pet-name formation, giving the name an affectionate, familiar quality. It has been widely used in the Netherlands and Belgium for centuries and gained some international recognition through the famous Flemish song Marieke, written by Jacques Brel in 1961. Related forms include Maria, Mary, Marieken, and Marike.