Mariel

Mariel is a diminutive or contracted form of María, the Spanish rendering of Maria, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Miryam, a name of debated meaning though often associated with roots relating to bitterness or beloved. It developed primarily in Latin American and Filipino Spanish-speaking communities as an affectionate short form, and gained broader English-language visibility in the twentieth century, partly through American actress Mariel Hemingway. Related names include Mariela, Mariella, and Marielle.