US Popularity Rank: 2551

Origin: Bulgarian

Meaning: Beloved; Wished-for child; Bitter, sour

Mariela is the Spanish and Bulgarian variant of the girl’s name, Maria. Meaning “beloved” or “wished-for child,” this name is widely celebrated for its ties to Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian Bible. While Mariela may also translate to “bitter” or “sour” in Latin, it’s still a timeless choice and a worthy contender if you’re searching for something even cuter than the biblical classic. If you’d like to honor baby’s faith or name them after an important Mary in your life, Mariela is a lovely twist on the original!