The story behind Miriam
From Hebrew מִרְיָם (Miryam), possibly from Aramaic מרים (Maryām, “bitter”), from a root מר (m-r) meaning "to be bitter". The meaning of this name which is the Old Testament equivalent of Mary has been debated for centuries. Some other explanations are mutiny / rebellion / disobedience from a root מרי (m-r-y).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Portuguese entry
Borrowed from Hebrew מִרְיָם. Doublet of Maria.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈmɪɹi.əm/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈmi.ɾi.ɐ̃/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈmi.ɾjɐ̃/
- Portuguese; Portugal: /ˈmi.ɾjɐm/
Popularity
Miriam ranked #246 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Miriam
Míriam
a female given name from Hebrew, variant of Maria, equivalent to English Miriam a female given name from Hebrew, variant of María, equivalent to English Miriam
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Abram
From Hebrew אַבְרָם (ʾaḇrām).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aćim
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἰωακείμ (Iōakeím), from Biblical Hebrew יְהוֹיָקִים (Yəhōyāqīm).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Àdam
Borrowed from Hebrew אָדָם (adam, “earth, man, soil, light brown”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ādam
Borrowed from Classical Persian آدَم (ādam), borrowed from Arabic آدَم (ʔādam), borrowed from Biblical Hebrew אָדָם (āḏā́m), from Proto-Semitic *ʔadam-.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Miriam
Abdia
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew עוֹבַדְיָה (ovadya).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Miriam
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length