Maryam

Maryam is a feminine given name widely used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Persian, Turkish, South Asian, and Western communities. It is the Arabic form of Mary, corresponding to Miriam in Hebrew. The exact etymology is debated, but the name is broadly associated with the biblical Mary.

In Islamic tradition, Maryam (Arabic: مريم) is the mother of Isa (Jesus) and is regarded as virtuous and highly honored. The Qur'an presents her as pure and steadfast, and a whole chapter, Surah Maryam, is devoted to her story. The name is common in Muslim-majority regions, with local spellings such as Mariam, Miryam, and Meryem.

As a given name, Maryam has many variants and spellings reflecting linguistic differences. It is used across Iran, Turkey, the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent, and among diaspora communities in Europe and North America. Variants include Mariam, Miryam, and Mirian, among others.

Notable people named Maryam include Maryam Mirzakhani (1977–2017), an Iranian mathematician and Fields Medalist, and Maryam Monsef (born 1985), a Canadian politician. The name is also common in literature, journalism, and activism in various regions, reflecting its broad cultural resonance.