Rising since 1985, #351 for girls today.
Popularity of Maryam since 1946
Babies named Maryam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 13 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 66 |
| 1970s | 284 |
| 1980s | 600 |
| 1990s | 1,191 |
| 2000s | 2,455 |
| 2010s | 4,932 |
| 2020s | 4,304 |
Meaning & origin
Maryam, the Arabic form of Mary, has seen a steady rise in the United States since the mid-1980s, reflecting growing diversity and the influence of Muslim communities. In 2025, it ranked 351st nationally, with 1 in 1,850 newborn girls receiving the name, and it reached its highest-ever popularity that same year. The name is particularly concentrated in states with large Arab-American and Muslim populations, such as New York, Michigan, and Illinois. Its enduring appeal lies in its deep religious significance across both Islam and Christianity, as well as its melodic sound. While the name's etymology remains debated, with proposed meanings ranging from 'beloved' to 'bitter,' its cultural resonance is undisputed. Maryam offers a cross-cultural option that honors tradition while feeling contemporary.
Maryam is the Arabic form of Mary, derived from the Hebrew name Miryam. In the Quran, Maryam is the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus) and is the only woman mentioned by name. The name has been used across the Muslim world for centuries and is also common among Christians in Arabic-speaking regions. Its exact meaning is debated, with theories ranging from 'rebelliousness' to 'beloved'.
Where Maryam is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Maryam” around the world
Where Maryam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#78
in 2024
Ireland
29
babies in 2025
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Quebec
38
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#65
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mari, Mimi, Maya, Yam
Sibling names for Maryam
Names that share Maryam's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Fatima, Aisha, Layla, Noor, Zainab, Haven, Khadija, Khadijah, Asiya, Jannat, Syeda, Fatema, Hafsah, Aasiya, Amatullah, Khadeejah, Nusaiba, Ruqayya, Aafiyah, Kowsar, Ruqaya, Sharifah, Zamzam
Brothers: Yusuf, Ibrahim, Muhammad, Omar, Ali, Abdallah, Zakaria, Abdulahi, Abdulmalik, Abubakr, Ayyub, Ishaq, Islam, Jibreel, Mahamed, Md, Murtaza, Rizwan, Suhayb, Sulayman, Yusif, Abdikadir, Abdulloh, Alireza, Babak, Hasnain, Idriss, Ismaeel, Shoaib, Yussef, Zakariyya, Abdirahim, Amadu, Awais, Furqan, Ishaaq, Muhammadamin, Muzamil, Muzammil, Shuayb, Sufyaan, Younus, Zakariye
Names like Maryam
Names whose popularity has moved with Maryam's over the last 50 years.
