What does Maryam mean?
Maryam (مريم) is the Arabic form of the biblical Mary/Miriam, borne by Maryam, mother of the prophet 'Isa (Jesus), who is highly honoured in Islam and has a Quranic chapter (Surah Maryam) named for her. The name is ultimately pre-Arabic, from Hebrew Miryam, and its original meaning is debated among scholars (proposed senses include 'beloved', 'bitter', and an Egyptian root meaning 'beloved'). Mariam is a common alternate transliteration.
What does Yara mean?
In contemporary Arabic naming Yara (يارا) is most often glossed 'small butterfly'. The etymology is not firmly settled: it is also linked to the Persian yar ('friend, companion, helper'). A separate, unrelated Yara/Iara comes from Brazilian Tupi mythology, so cross-culture care is warranted.