Miriam Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Miriam is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Miriam?
Miriam is spelled M-I-R-I-A-M. The name has 6 letters.
Miriam at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Miriam is commonly understood to derive from the Hebrew root meaning “bitterness” or “rebellion.”
- Origin
- Miriam is a name with roots in Hebrew tradition and is associated with the sister of Moses in biblical texts.
- Pronunciation
- MIR-ee-um · 3 syllables
Miriam Popularity in 2025
Rank#246
Recorded Births1,262
- Girls usage rose 3 places to #246 and recorded 17 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Miriam Mean?
Miriam is commonly understood to derive from the Hebrew root meaning “bitterness” or “rebellion.”
Origin: Miriam is a name with roots in Hebrew tradition and is associated with the sister of Moses in biblical texts.
How Do You Pronounce Miriam?
PronunciationMIR-ee-um
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Miriam?
- History
- The name Miriam appears in ancient Hebrew scriptures where it is attributed to the sister of Moses, reflecting its longstanding use in Jewish culture and beyond.
Miriam Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,262 | #246 |
| 2024 | Girls | 1,279 | #249 |
| 2023 | Girls | 1,246 | #249 |
| 2022 | Girls | 1,203 | #261 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,193 | #258 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,151 | #268 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,165 | #284 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,109 | #300 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,152 | #284 |
| 2017 | Boys | 6 | #10,775 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,122 | #290 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,106 | #293 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,075 | #304 |
| 2013 | Girls | 1,114 | #285 |
| 2012 | Girls | 1,051 | #305 |
| 2011 | Girls | 947 | #332 |
| 2010 | Girls | 1,086 | #300 |
| 2009 | Girls | 1,079 | #306 |
| 2008 | Girls | 1,102 | #301 |
| 2007 | Girls | 1,146 | #294 |
| 2006 | Girls | 1,160 | #286 |
| 2005 | Girls | 1,191 | #279 |
| 2004 | Girls | 1,201 | #271 |
| 2003 | Girls | 1,118 | #278 |
When Was Miriam Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1924 · Girls
1,834 recorded births
National rank #143
1920 · Girls
1,744 recorded births
National rank #140
1921 · Girls
1,743 recorded births
National rank #147
1923 · Girls
1,733 recorded births
National rank #145
Where Miriam Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | #29 | 173 |
| NY | #39 | 284 |
| VT | #75 | 5 |
| IN | #168 | 41 |
| SD | #188 | 6 |
| OH | #210 | 54 |
| WI | #220 | 25 |
| PA | #223 | 50 |