Miriam

מִרְיָם

• Gender: Female
• Origin: Biblical English
• Meaning: beloved

• Miriam is one of the towering figures of the Torah. She was the older sister who stood watch over baby Moses as he floated in a basket on the Nile, the prophetess who led the Israelite women in song and dance after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, and a leader who was not afraid to speak her mind even to her own brothers. Her name, often interpreted as "beloved," carries a legacy of female courage, creativity, and unwavering devotion that stretches across thousands of years.

  A well-deserved renaissance is underway for Miriam among parents who want a name with serious feminist credentials and undeniable gravitas. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," whose full name is Miriam, gave this name a glamorous, witty boost for a whole new generation. It sounds both classic and fresh, the kind of name that commands a room at any age — and the only biblical heroine who danced, sang, and led with fierce joy.

• Alternate Spellings: Myriam, Miryam, Maryam
• Potential Sibling Name:
  Elisheva
  ,
  Tzipora
  ,
  Aaron
  ,
  Moshe
• Theme: love