MariaPaz is a unique and elegant female given name of Spanish origin. It is composed of two distinct elements: "Maria," which means "sea" or "bitter sea" in Hebrew, and "Paz," meaning "peace" in Spanish. Therefore, the combined meaning of Mariapaz is "sea of peace."
The name Mariapaz originated from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. It was popularized by the devotion to Our Lady of Peace, also known as Maria Pasionaria (Marian Passion flower), a title given to Mary by the Spanish missionaries who arrived in the Philippines. The name gained further popularity among Filipino families who wished to honor their Catholic faith and heritage.
Historically, Mariapaz has been predominantly used within Spanish-speaking communities and those influenced by Spanish culture, such as Filipinos and Latin Americans. Despite its regional origins, however, the name Mariapaz has transcended borders and can now be found in various parts of the world.
In terms of popularity, Mariapaz has remained relatively rare compared to other names like Maria or Paz individually. Nevertheless, it continues to be cherished by those who bear this distinctive moniker and their families, carrying with it a rich history and meaningful symbolism.
The name Mariapaz has seen a relatively consistent level of usage over the past two decades in the United States. According to the available data, there were five babies named Mariapaz in 2002 and again in 2006. The name's popularity then increased slightly, with six births recorded in both 2015 and 2018. This trend continued into 2019, with another six newborns being given the name Mariapaz. Most recently, in 2023, there were five babies named Mariapaz. In total, over these years, there have been thirty-three girls named Mariapaz born in the United States. This demonstrates that while Mariapaz is not one of the most common names, it has maintained a steady presence among baby name choices during this period.