Maryemma is of African American origin, derived from the combination of the names Mary and Emma. It gained popularity during the early to mid-20th century among the African American community, often chosen as a tribute to famous figures like Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights activist, or Emma Lazarus, known for her poem "The New Colossus" inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. The name Maryemma is associated with strength, courage, and intelligence, reflecting its namesakes' qualities. It is pronounced /ˌmaɪriːˈɛmə/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with emphasis on both syllables. Spelling variations include Mariah Emma and Miriam Emma.
"Maryemma saw a surge in popularity between 2003 and 2005, with six births each year during that period, following two decades of consistency with five births per year."