Meike

Meike is a Low German and Dutch diminutive of Maria, itself derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, whose original meaning is debated but often interpreted as sea of bitterness, beloved, or drop of the sea. The diminutive suffix -ke is characteristic of northern German and Dutch pet-name formation, giving the name a warm, informal quality. Meike is most commonly found in the Netherlands and northern Germany, where it has been in steady use as an independent given name since at least the twentieth century. Related forms include Mieke, Maike, and Maja, all diminutives or short forms of Maria within the Germanic language family.