Maria Erlinda Termulo-Padilla (born Maria Erlinda Sazon Termulo) professionally known as Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla or simply Mariel Rodriguez, is a Filipino-born American commercial model, endorser, television host, VJ and actress. In this case, Mariel is a combination of "Maria" and "Erlinda".
The main character of the Australian movie "Muriel's Wedding" (played by Toni Collette) changes her name to the more appealing (in her eyes) Mariel in the course of the story, to appear more attractive.
In one of the Redwall books there is a female heroine named Mariel. Her father was killed by Gabool the Wild, but when Gabool attacked her and threw her into the sea during a terrible storm she survived. The mousemaid lived on her own for many days, not remembering anything and deciding to name herself Storm Gullwhacker. She was lead to Redwall, where after hearing a poem, begins to have flashbacks, and remembers everything. During these flashbacks she remembers her father, and how they traveled together on a ship. Her father would say that her name was like the ringing of bells across an open field: "Mariel! Mariel!" I love that! This name is one of my favourites, and I liked the book too, although I didn't finish it.