Miriam

Miriam meaning and name origin

Miriam \m(i)-riam\ as a girl's name is pronounced MEER-ee-em. It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Miriam is "star of the sea". From Miryam, an older version of the name Mary. Other possible meanings are "wished-for child", "rebellion" or "sea of bitterness". Biblical: the sister of Moses, who saved his life as a baby when she hid him in a basket among the rushes at the river's edge for the Pharoah's daughter to find. The name was revived in the 18th century. Singer Miriam Makeba.

Miriam has 18 variant forms: Mairim, Mariam, Maryam, Meriam, Meryam, Mimi, Mirham, Mirian, Mirja, Mirjam, Mirjana, Mirriam, Miryam, Mitzi, Mitzie, Miyana, Miyanna and Myriam.

For more information, see also related names Marianne and Mireille.

View a list of the 5 names that reference Miriam.

Popularity of Miriam

Miriam is a very popular first name for women (#285 out of 4276) but an uncommon surname or last name for all people. (1990 U.S. Census)

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