Mariska is a female given name of Hungarian origin, derived from the Slavic element 'marja', meaning 'pearl'. It gained popularity due to the influence of Hungarian literature and culture in Europe during the 19th century. The name Mariska has been used predominantly in Hungary and other Central European countries but has also made appearances in other parts of the world. Its variants include Mariska herself, which is often used as a diminutive of Maria, as well as Mareike in Germany. The name's popularity peaked in Hungary during the mid-20th century and has since maintained consistent usage, though it remains relatively uncommon elsewhere.
"Mariska's popularity as a baby girl name started low but gained significant traction from the mid-80s onwards, peaking around the early 2000s with over 95 births in some years. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, reaching an average of about 13 births per year in recent times."