Maribel

A Spanish contraction of María Isabel; its meaning comes through those two names.

Maribel is a Spanish feminine name formed from María Isabel. It is a familiar, affectionate contraction of the double name and is also used as a given name in its own right. The opening Mari- and the ending -bel keep both parts audible in a much more compact form. Its meaning is best understood through its two source names. María traces back to the Miriam name family, whose earliest meaning remains uncertain. Isabel belongs to the Elizabeth family and ultimately to Hebrew Elisheva, conventionally interpreted as “my God is an oath”. Maribel brings the names together without creating a single literal phrase from their meanings. In Spanish, say ma-ri-BEL, with the emphasis on the last of its three syllables. It is written Maribel, without an accent mark. The gentle opening and firm final -bel give it a warm, lilting sound: less ceremonious than the full María Isabel, yet with a distinct ending of its own.

Etymology: A familiar contraction of Spanish María Isabel, joining the opening of María to the ending of Isabel.