But what do they call the smog way out West?
As Daividh says, the name "Mariah" probably is derived from "Maria".
As to whether or not this name (or the name "Maria") has any connection to the Mariah of the Alan Jay Lerner lyrics you mentioned, from the Broadway and movie musical *Paint Your Wagon*, I dunno.
One thing's for certain though, Mariah the Wind sure had a catchier sounding name than Tess the Rain or Jo the Fire.
-- Nanaea