Mariah is of Latin origin, derived from the name Maria, which means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." It was used as a term of endearment for Mary in medieval times. In the 19th century, Mariah gained popularity as an independent given name in English-speaking countries. The variant spelling 'Mariyah' is also sometimes used.
The name Mariah has seen varied popularity over the years, with peak periods from 1992 to 1995 and again in 2004. The total number of births registered as Mariah since 1976 is 183.