Word Origin, "Mari-"

Question

I've noticed a lot of words that start with "Mari-", 'mariposa', and a lot of names. Maria, Marisol, Maricela, etc. I was wondering if anyone knows what the "mari-" part of the word means? I know 'mar' means 'sea' but especially in 'mariposa' it doesn't have anything to do with the sea, so...? Thanks!

He vido "mari-" en muchos palabras y nombres: Mariposa, Maria, Marisol, Maricela. ¿Que quiere decir "mari-" en estas palabras?

Muchas Gracias

English: Mary - lazarus1907, Jul 9, 2011

Answer 1

It seems that many of the words "marinero","marisco" do take there origins from the sea. El mar. Others such as "marido" and " mariposa" signify being joined. Our word "married " in English. Mariposa (joined to a flower.) This is all I could find.

Answer 2

The mari in mariposa comes from María, which comes from the Hebrew Mariam, the mother of Jesus. I believe the names all come from this as well. There are other Spanish words starting with mari that have this origin as well.

Answer 3

¿No se tratará de la virgen? No lo sé.

Buena pregunta.

Probably the "mari" was before the naming of Maria/Mary and was the reason/root for the name - lagartijaverde, Jul 9, 2011

Answer 4

There is a possibility that it came down through the "Indo- European languages"

from Sanskrit and Pali , the word " Mara " which was a Deity of the sensual pleasures.

Answer 5

I'd like to know this too, so I bumped it. Sorry I don't know the answer.Buena suerte.