Mariah

How to say it

məˈraɪ.ə

What it means

A variant of Maria and Mary, carrying the same roots: 'drop of the sea,' 'beloved,' or 'bitter.'

Mariah is a spelling of Maria pronounced the old English way, muh-RYE-uh, as in the song They Call the Wind Maria. It shares Mary's roots, with meanings offered as 'drop of the sea,' 'beloved,' and 'bitter.' Singer Mariah Carey made the spelling a household name. Warm and a little vintage.

How to spell Mariah

The standard spelling is Mariah. Common variants include Maria, Moriah, Maryah, but Mariah is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Pronunciation

  muh-RY-uh, the older English form of Maria.

• Pop culture

  Singer Mariah Carey.

Who's worn it

• Mariah Carey record-breaking American singer and songwriter

Spelling variants

• Maria
• Moriah
• Maryah

Names with the same feeling

• Maria Beloved, or 'bitter'
• Mariana Of Marius, or Mary + Ana
• Mia Mine, or 'bitter'
• Maya Illusion, or 'water'
• Amaya End, or 'night rain'

See Mariah from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Mariah mean?

A variant of Maria and Mary, carrying the same roots: 'drop of the sea,' 'beloved,' or 'bitter.'

What does Mariah mean in Hebrew?

In Hebrew, Mariah means "Drop of the sea; beloved." Mariah is a spelling of Maria pronounced the old English way, muh-RYE-uh, as in the song They Call the Wind Maria. It shares Mary's roots, with meanings offered as 'drop of the sea,' 'beloved,' and 'bitter.' Singer Mariah Carey made the spelling a household name. Warm and a little vintage.

How do you pronounce Mariah?

Mariah is pronounced məˈraɪ.ə. Say it as ma-RI-ah, with the stress on the "ri" syllable.

How do you spell Mariah?

The standard spelling is Mariah. Common spelling variants include Maria, Moriah, Maryah.

Is Mariah a boy or girl name?

Mariah is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Mariah?

Mariah ranked #448 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.