Miriam
Miriam is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “uncertain; perhaps bitter.” It ranked #246 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Miriam?
MEER-ee-um
where does the name Miriam come from?
The meaning of Miriam has been debated for centuries: it may come from a root meaning to be bitter, or from one meaning rebellion. Miriam is the Old Testament equivalent of Mary.
Miriam is one of the Hebrew Bible's most important women: the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess who led the Israelite women in song after the crossing of the Red Sea. Its meaning has been debated for centuries; it may come from a root meaning to be bitter. It is the original form of Mary and has remained beloved in Jewish tradition.
how popular is this name?
Miriam has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #134 in 1917, and ranked #246 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #246 |
| 2024 | #249 |
| 2023 | #249 |
| 2022 | #261 |
| 2021 | #258 |
| 2020 | #268 |
| 2019 | #284 |
| 2018 | #300 |
| 2017 | #284 |
| 2016 | #290 |
| 2010 | #300 |
| 2000 | #278 |
| 1990 | #283 |
| 1980 | #309 |
| 1970 | #370 |
| 1960 | #281 |
| 1950 | #264 |
| 1940 | #231 |
| 1930 | #183 |
| 1920 | #140 |
| 1917 | #134 |
| 1910 | #186 |
| 1900 | #214 |
| 1890 | #273 |
| 1880 | #294 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Miriam fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Miriam
In the Book of Exodus, Miriam is the sister of Moses and a prophetess.
who are famous people named Miriam?
- Miriam (biblical prophetess, sister of Moses)
- Miriam Makeba (South African singer and civil rights activist)
what are the nicknames and variants of Miriam?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Miriam?
what names go well with Miriam?
Sibling names that share Miriam's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Miriam
What does the name Miriam mean?
Miriam means “uncertain; perhaps bitter”.
What is the origin of the name Miriam?
Miriam comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Miryam.
How popular is the name Miriam?
Miriam ranked #246 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1917, at #134, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Miriam a boy or girl name?
Miriam is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Miriam?
Miriam is pronounced MEER-ee-um, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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