Myriam
Myriam was the 4952nd most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 27 babies. Its best year was 2003, when it ranked 1671st with 115 babies. Over the last ten years it has moved down 990 places. More babies were named Myriam in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Miriam) Origin uncertain · Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- #4,952 girls, down 332 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 27girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 2003115 babies
- Total since 1880
- 3,160babies recorded
What does the name Myriam mean?
Myriam is a spelling of Miriam, pronounced the same way, so it shares Miriam's meaning and origin.
Miriam is the Hebrew name of the prophetess, sister of Moses and Aaron, in the Book of Exodus. Wiktionary says its meaning has been debated for centuries: a link with a root meaning 'to be bitter' is common, while others suggest 'rebellion' or other senses. DMNES, under Mary, notes that Mary and Miriam are the same name and were treated as one in the Middle Ages. Mira, Miri and Mimi are pet forms, as Wikipedia notes.
מִרְיָם (Biblical Hebrew, “Miryam”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Meaning debated: 'bitter', 'rebellion' and other proposals.
Related names: Mary, Maria, Myriam, Mirjam, Mira, Miri.
See also: Hebrew names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Miriam', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Hebrew Bible, Exodus 15:20, JPS translation with notes (via Sefaria), Sefaria; verse reference and facts only, not quoted
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Mary', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
- Wikipedia, 'Miriam (given name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
Myriam popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,952 | 27 |
| 2020 | #4,620 | 29 |
| 2010 | #4,569 | 32 |
| 2000 | #2,562 | 59 |
| 1990 | #2,834 | 41 |
| 1980 | #2,730 | 34 |
| 1970 | #2,190 | 37 |
| 1960 | #2,044 | 32 |
| 1950 | #2,999 | 13 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | #3,565 | 8 |
| 1920 | #2,438 | 15 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Myriam, counting every spelling?
Myriam is a spelling of Miriam, a name family that ranked #265 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #4,952 for Myriam on its own. Together these spellings went to 1,289 girls in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Myriam?
27 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Myriam (0.01 per 1,000 births). For a girl named Myriam born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 310 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Myriam.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Myriam?
About 2,900 people born in the US named Myriam are alive today, with a median age of 30; half are between 19 and 49. That makes Myriam mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Myriam by state
How common Myriam was among girls born in each state in 2021–2025. In 49 states fewer than five girls a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Myriam: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Myriam, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Myriam
What does Myriam mean?
The origin of Miriam is uncertain: Meaning debated: 'bitter', 'rebellion' and other proposals.
How popular is the name Myriam?
Myriam was the 4952nd most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 27 babies. Its best year was 2003, when it ranked 1671st with 115 babies. Over the last ten years it has moved down 990 places. More babies were named Myriam in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Is Myriam a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Myriam in the US.
Where is Myriam most popular?
In 2021–2025, Myriam was most common in California (0.03 per 1,000 girls), followed by Texas and Texas.