Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Meriam
GirlHebrew· “variant of Miriam”
- Meaning
- variant of Miriam
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MIH-ree-uhm
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,343 (1923)
- Peak year
- 1923
Meaning and origin of Meriam
Meriam is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Miriam”.
Meriam is a spelling of Miriam, the Hebrew name borne by the sister of Moses and Aaron in the Book of Exodus. The meaning of Miriam is uncertain. It has been linked to words meaning sea, bitter, rebellion or beloved, but none of these is certain. Miriam is the source of Mary, Maria and Marie. Meriam is also an Arabic transliteration of Maryam, the mother of Jesus in the Quran. The usual pronunciation is MIH-ree-uhm or MEH-ree-uhm.
Popularity over time
Meriam first appears in US Social Security records in 1897. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,343 in 1923, the same year it reached its highest count of 35 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,394 in 1920, #3,167 in 1950, #11,488 in 1980, #8,377 in 2000, and #9,065 in 2010. Of the 1,391 US girls named Meriam since records began, 20% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 160 babies. Since 2010, 194 more have been named Meriam.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Odilia, Genevive, Otelia, Tilda, and Everlena.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Meriam is usually pronounced MIH-ree-uhm, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-am”.
Middle names for Meriam
A few middle names that flow with Meriam: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Meriam
Similar names
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MEER-ee-uhm
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Josephine Girl
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AB-uh-gayl
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Maryann Girl
mair-ee-AN
“blend of Mary and Ann” · English
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Juanita Girl
wah-NEE-tuh
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Manuela Girl
mahn-WEH-luh
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Abigael Girl
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“variant of Abigail, my father's joy” · Hebrew
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Mahala Girl
muh-HAY-luh
“variant of Mahalah, tenderness” · Hebrew
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Lists that include Meriam
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Meriam mean?
Meriam is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Miriam”.
What is the origin of the name Meriam?
Meriam has Hebrew roots. Meriam is a spelling of Miriam, the Hebrew name borne by the sister of Moses and Aaron in the Book of Exodus.
Is Meriam a popular name?
No. Meriam was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Meriam a boy or girl name?
Meriam is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Meriam?
Meriam is usually pronounced MIH-ree-uhm. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings