Rising since 1996, #3,296 for girls today.
Popularity of Miri since 1962
Babies named Miri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 15 |
| 1970s | 50 |
| 1980s | 53 |
| 1990s | 53 |
| 2000s | 141 |
| 2010s | 317 |
| 2020s | 242 |
Meaning & origin
Miri is a concise and melodic name that has been in use in the United States since at least 1962, with a current rank of 3296 in 2025. Approximately 1 in 34,197 newborn girls receive the name, reflecting its rarity. The name has shown a rising trajectory in popularity since 1996, reaching its peak in 2022. While not among the top state choices, it appears most frequently in New Jersey and New York. Its etymology is often linked to the Hebrew Miriam, but Miri has developed its own identity as a standalone name, particularly in Jewish communities and among modern parents seeking a short, sweet name.
Miri is often considered a short form of Miriam, which itself has a debated etymology but is traditionally associated with Hebrew roots meaning 'bitter' or 'rebellion', or perhaps 'beloved'. It has also been used as a diminutive of Mira, a name with Latin and Slavic origins meaning 'peace' or 'sea'. In modern usage, Miri stands as an independent given name, particularly in Israel and among English-speaking families.
Where Miri is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Miri” around the world
Where Miri lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ri, Mimi
Variants: Miry, Miree
Sibling names for Miri
Names that share Miri's style, for a brother or sister.
