Miriam

Miriam is a female given name of Hebrew origin. The etymology is uncertain, and while it has been linked to possible meanings such as “beloved” or “sea of bitterness,” no single universally accepted definition exists. The name has circulated widely in Jewish, Christian, and secular contexts and appears in many languages and cultures.

In the Hebrew Bible, Miriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron and is described as a prophetess. She is associated with the Exodus narrative and is said to have led the Israelite women in song and dance with tambourines after the crossing of the Red Sea.

Across languages the name appears in forms such as Miriam, Miryam, and Mirjam; in Arabic it is Maryam, and in Turkish or other languages it may appear as Meryem or Miryem. It is common in Jewish and Christian naming traditions and has been adopted more widely in various cultures.

Notable people named Miriam include Miriam Makeba (1932–2008), a South African singer and civil rights advocate; Miriam Margolyes (born 1941), a British‑Australian actress; Miriam Adelson (born 1945), a physician and philanthropist; and Miriam Defensor-Santiago (1945–2020), a Filipino politician and judge.

In modern culture, Miriam remains a widely used given name in many countries, appearing in literature, film, music, and public life.