The baby name Miriam belonged to Moses’ heroic older sister in the Old Testament.
Thanks to Toni for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
SISTER MIRIAM
When the pharaoh ordered the death of all newborn Hebrew boys, it was Miriam who carried baby Moses to the river. And when the pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child, she was the one who suggested adoption. To top it all off, Miriam also encouraged the princess to find a nurse for Moses – none other than Jochebed, their mother.
Religion aside, it’s easy to admire the boldness and cunning required to save her family.
Jewish parents long embraced the name. Post-Reformation, Christian families used this form, too. Though it’s worth noting that during the Middle Ages, at least in English, they would have been considered the same name.
MARY AND MEANING
Miriam gives us the classic Mary. Forms like Mariam and Mariamne appear in various ancient texts, too, and some remain in use. The meaning and origins are open to much debate:
- An Egypt root – mry, meaning love – is often suggested.
- St. Isidore of Seville insisted that Mary meant lady in Syriac, but he might’ve been biased.
- Many sources tell us that mara meant bitter.
- There’s also a Hebrew verb that means rebellious – meri is one form of the word.
- A few connect the name to the phrase ma rama – wished for child.
Since 1880, Miriam has ranged between the upper 100s and the high 300s in the rankings – the kind of name never wildly popular, but never obscure, either.
THROUGH THE YEARS
Given those numbers, it’s no surprise that we spot the baby name Miriam over the decades.
Truman Capote penned the short story Miriam about a widow living a solitary life until she meets a girl with the same name. Spookiness follows.
A handful of actors, writers, singers, and notable figures have answered to the name, too. There’s twentieth century scientist Miriam Rothschild. It’s also the given name of Ma Ferguson, the first woman elected governor of Texas, way back in 1925 – after her husband was impeached!
There’s a minor character in Coraline by the name.
Elizabeth Banks wore it in 2008 raunchy rom com Zack and Miri Make a Porno. But she uses the nickname Miri almost exclusively. (Also, it’s not exactly a classic.)
Still, the nickname offers one option that could appeal to parents.
MIRI, MIMI AND MIDGE
A great nickname can help revive a classic choice. It makes more serious options feel wearable for a small child. And it offers options and flexibility, something that many parents like.
Miri isn’t the only possibility. Mimi works, too, and I’ve heard Mitzi suggested.
But it’s Midge holding the spotlight these days.
MIRIAM MAISEL
The reason I think the baby name Miriam could catch on in the 2020s?
Mrs. Miriam Maisel, the star of Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She’s the perfect, affluent Jewish housewife in 1958. She supports her husband’s attempts to kick-start a stand-up comedy career.
But then her husband leaves her for his secretary. And she ends up on stage, riffing on her life gone wrong … and turning into a rising star along the way.
While on stage, she’s always Mrs. Maisel, she switches between her nickname – Midge – and given name everywhere else. Her parents call her Miriam; friends and colleagues tend to use Midge.
If the creator of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel sounds familiar, that’s because Amy Sherman-Palladino also gave us another show about strong-willed, fast-talking, flawed but admirable women: Gilmore Girls.
Since Gilmore Girls launched Lorelai, it’s not a stretch to imagine that we’d embrace Mrs. Maisel names, too.
BY THE NUMBERS
Sensible and strong, Miriam doesn’t feel as familiar as Mary. But it fits with classics like Eleanor, Margaret, and Evelyn.
Just over 1,000 girls received the name in 2018, which makes it relatively uncommon. But the series debuted in March 2017, with the second season coming late in 2018 – and the third at year’s end 2019. So it’s a little too soon to know if the show will have an impact.
Whether you’re a fan of the series or not, Miriam feels capable and strong. I’d call it a quiet classic – not as instantly familiar as Mary, but not as well-used through the centuries, either.
It’s a solid stands-out/fits-in choice if you like your names with history to spare.
Would you use a nickname for Miriam? Which one?
First published on May 2, 2009, this post was substantially revised on February 19, 2020 and again on May 14, 2020.
Miriam is my oldest daughter’s name. I love it because it sounds so solid and intelligent. Not a “decorative female” content to look pretty–but a force to be reckoned with. Loved it when I gave it to my daughter 11 years ago, and love it even more now.
My sister’s name is Maryam, which is the Arabic form of Mary. She was named for our paternal grandmother. My own mother says she always had a hard time getting people to understand that my sister’s name is Maryam (Mary with ‘am’ at the end!) and not Miriam or Maryann or Marion. My sister loves her name and doesn’t mind correcting people. I personally prefer Miriam, both the spelling and the pronounciation. I also love the nickname Mia, which my sister occasionally goes by.
Miriam is my husband’s new favorite name for a future daughter. I love it’s sound and history, but I was a tiny bit bothered that it doesn’t feel quite as fresh as some of the names on our list and was maybe too steadfast. It is growing on me by leaps and bounds, though, and may even rise to the top.
I have always loved MIriam. It sounds musical, lyrical; reminds me of wind chimes. It was one of my first choices a few years ago and somehow fell to the wayside; perhaps it’s time to add her back into the mix.
I like Miriam. It’s a sweet, sophisticated name. I don’t find it dated at all. Miri and Mira are cute nicknames and I would definitely consider it as a middle name.
My maternal grandmother is a Mary, plus I know several other Mary’s. It’s a great way to honor my grandma. She’s a nice person for putting up with me and letting me live in her house. lol!
Anya’s middle name is Regina after my paternal grandmother, so giving a second daughter Mary or Miriam as a middle name would ensure that she wouldn’t feel left out.
Miriam is another I just don’t care for. To me, she’s rather classic, but not in a light, feminine way like Jane, Elizabeth or Madeline, but in a heavy, frumpy sort of manner. Eh, she’s a little lacklustre to me and reminds me way too much of Muriel, which I find exceptionally grating!!!
Sorry, she’s a miss for me!
I like that Miriam is familiar but that you don’t bump into one every time you turn around. It’s a classic that will always be around – the fact that it’s multicultural really appeals to me. I love her sound.
I like Miriam. “Zack & Miri Make a P*rno” almost killed Miriam for me, not that it was a horrible movie but wow, if I had thought like that in college, my Mother would have shot me! I think it’s light and lyrical and for me, anything I can get Mimi from, as you know, is a winner for me. But he made me write it off after that movie. 🙁 I firmly like it and would love to meet a few more! Me? I got him to allow Marian/Marion. Which suits me fine! 😀
I was surprised that you called this undiscovered, and was about to argue the point because it is a very traditional Jewish name – but then you covered that. 😉 I know many a Jewish Miriam. As a matter of fact, this name is in the Elijah camp for me. Too Jewish. My cousin is married to a german Mirjam (basically pronounced the same way) and I think that’s a very interesting spin. All in all, the name isn’t particularly offensive, but it is too Old-Testamenty and too old-ladyish for me.
I adore Miriam! It would be on the short list if my other half allowed it, but he’s not a fan. He finds it old and crusty – not at all the image I have of it! I find the name sweet but strong. Also, I really dig Miri or Mira as nicknames.
I know a few Miriams – Jewish and Conservative Christian alike.