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Original poster

What are the usable variations of Maria?

63 replies

Roundtheroundabout · 17/11/2021 10:00

We want to use the a variation of the name Maria, but not Maria / Marie/ Miriam/ Mary. What are the useable variations of this name which are as close to Maria as possible?
I have found:
Marianna
Marissa
Marina
Marialisa
Marialina

I know there are others like
Anna-Maria
Maria-Louisa
However, I’m not keen on a hyphenated name, looking for a name that doesn’t have a hyphen in between.

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TheSpiral · 18/11/2021 09:29

@MrsTerryPratchett - I hardly ever genuinely laugh at posts but that did make me giggle out loud.

Geamhradh · 18/11/2021 06:37

Here in Italy we've got:
Marianna (used to be short for Maria Anna but is now a name on its own)
Marina
Mariolina
Marisa (Maria Luisa) ("s" pronounced as /s/)
Maresa (Maria Teresa) (also pronounced with /s/)
Mariangela
Marika (Maria Carmela/Carmen)

Basically any Maria + other name can contract to form a new name.

felulageller · 18/11/2021 05:02

Mhairi

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/11/2021 03:35

@TheSpiral

Marina, is where boats park Bet nobody ever said that to Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.
Not to her face. Her Boaty McBoatface.
PennyWus · 18/11/2021 03:33

I knew a Mariella once. Never came across the name before or since, still think it is beautiful.

Shasha17 · 18/11/2021 03:25

And Miriam and Mary

Shasha17 · 18/11/2021 03:24

Marina apparently has nothing to do with Mary/Maria and unlike the others is an entirely separate name, much to my disappointment (wanted a Maria based name for religious reasons and love Marina!) I like Marietta and Mariana best

junebirthdaygirl · 18/11/2021 01:03

Muireann Pronounced Mur ..an
Irish for Mary Ann

KloppsTeeth · 18/11/2021 00:42

Marianne
Marion
Marilyn
Marnie
Marika

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/11/2021 20:28

Marianne is the nicest I think
Or Maryam/Mariam
Marina is nice but I don't think it's a version of Maria

You don't need a hyphen between Anna Maria etc, if that makes it better for you.

gaslady14 · 17/11/2021 15:19

I know a Mariska and think her name is just beautiful.

Marieke is also lovely.

Honeyroar · 17/11/2021 15:16

I prefer Marianne to Marianna too.
Mari is nice.
I’ve met lots of ladies called Marina.
Marissa is ok too.

Etinoxaurus · 17/11/2021 15:15

Mariam is lovely.
Marieke- most beautiful song ever.

Moonface123 · 17/11/2021 15:12

Pia.

Loopyloulou007 · 17/11/2021 14:56

I knew a Maree once. Pronounced. Mar ree. Not Mary.

Millie50 · 17/11/2021 14:41

Marian / Marion
Maura
Morna
Mira
Myra
Myrna
Moira

SallyWD · 17/11/2021 14:24

@dreamkitchenhelp

Marisa is a lovely name, I prefer the one "s" version. Pronounced Ma-ri-za
I know a Marisa but she doesn't pronounce it Ma - ri -Za. She pronounces it Ma-ri-Sa. It's a lovely name.
SallyWD · 17/11/2021 14:23

I much prefer Marianne to Marianna. Less fussy and more elegant in my opinion. However, Maria is my all time favourite girls name so I would just use that!

WhatHoMarjorie · 17/11/2021 14:08

@EdgeOfACoin

Also, I believe that traditionally in England the pronunciation of Maria was Mariah (as in Mariah Carey). Later, the European pronunciation was adopted.

Mariah may be an option?

Yes. I presume to avoid being mistaken for the Popish Marias from the continent.
RobinPenguins · 17/11/2021 14:05

I like Marianne, as in Sense and Sensibility.

NCasrecognisedanAIBU · 17/11/2021 14:03

Mari is used a lot in Wales and I like it a lot.
Pronounced like the English 'marry'.

Riapia · 17/11/2021 13:59

Marianina.

TheSpiral · 17/11/2021 13:17

Marina, is where boats park
Bet nobody ever said that to Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.

GameofPhones · 17/11/2021 13:11

Marietta

ladycarlotta · 17/11/2021 12:50

Mara
Mairi
Mair
Maris

and yes the traditional English pn of Maria is Ma-RYE-a, so that's an option with a point of difference.