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Maruša is a Slovenian and Croatian pet form of Maria, itself derived from the Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is debated but commonly interpreted as beloved, sea of bitterness, or drop of the sea. It developed as an affectionate diminutive in South Slavic languages and has long been used as an independent given name in Slovenia and Croatia. Related forms include Maruška, used in Czech and Slovak traditions, as well as the wider family of Maria variants such as Maja, Marica, and Marija.