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NamyLab

Miriam

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Bitter Sea or Beloved"

A biblical name borne by Moses’ sister, it has multiple proposed etymologies and enduring use in Jewish and Christian communities.

Themes:biblicalhebrewtraditionwoman
BiblicalNatureNatural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Miriam

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#251Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#251

Miriam was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-3

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Miriam Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Miriam.

10 ideas
Miri
Nickname
Mim
Nickname
miri
Nickname
mi
Nickname
mo
Nickname
miry
Nickname
riam
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname
riay
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Miriam

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Miriam, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

28 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Miriam mean?
Miriam means "Bitter Sea or Beloved". A biblical name borne by Moses’ sister, it has multiple proposed etymologies and enduring use in Jewish and Christian co
What is the origin of Miriam?
Miriam is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Miriam?
According to the latest SSA data, Miriam is currently ranked #251 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Miriam a girl name?
Miriam is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Miriam?
Popular nicknames for Miriam include Miri, Mim, miri, mi, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Miriam?
There are many names similar to Miriam in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#251
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Miriam

Miriam has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Miriam appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Love and Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Miriam pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Miriam beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.