Miriam
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Wished-for child, bitter, rebellious
Origin: Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #246 in 2025 with 1,262 babies born.
History: The original Hebrew form from which Mary derives. In the Bible, Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron who led the Israelite women in song after crossing the Red Sea. It is one of the oldest continuously used names.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Miriam? About 1 in 2,637 babies born in 2025 were named Miriam, or roughly 3.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Miriam
What does the name Miriam mean?
Miriam means “Wished-for child, bitter, rebellious” from Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Miriam?
Miriam has Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Wished-for child, bitter, rebellious”.
How popular is Miriam?
Miriam ranked #246 in 2025 — given to 1,262 babies that year.
When was Miriam most popular?
Miriam peaked in 1924 with 1,834 babies registered that year.
Is Miriam a boy or girl name?
Miriam is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Miriams in registered births are female.
Is the name Miriam rising or falling in popularity?
Miriam has risen 22 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #268 in 2020 to #246 in 2025.
How long has Miriam been recorded?
Miriam appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.