Mariam
Mariam is a girl's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
Beloved, wished-for child, or sea of bitterness.
Origin and history
Mariam is an ancient Semitic variant of Mary, widely used in Arabic, Aramaic, and Eastern Christian contexts. It holds deep religious significance across both Islamic and Christian traditions. In the U.S., its usage has grown steadily as a classic, cross-cultural choice.
Popularity in the United States
18,555 babies in the United States have been named Mariam since 1880. It ranks #1115 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #549.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.5 %)
- CA (14.8 %)
- MI (9.2 %)
- TX (8.6 %)
- IL (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 11 |
| 1890-1900 | 56 |
| 1900-1910 | 96 |
| 1910-1920 | 410 |
| 1920-1930 | 589 |
| 1930-1940 | 349 |
| 1940-1950 | 248 |
| 1950-1960 | 251 |
| 1960-1970 | 341 |
| 1970-1980 | 435 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,081 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,248 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,085 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,125 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,230 |
Famous people named Mariam
- Mariam Mirzakhani: Mathematician, Professor
Nicknames
Mary, Mimi
Fun facts
- Mariam is the only woman named directly in the Quran, which features an entire chapter named after her.
- Mariam reflects the older Aramaic and original Hebrew form (Miriam) from which the European name Mary developed.