Declining since 2003, #4,878 for girls today.
Popularity of Myriam since 1912
Babies named Myriam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 32 |
| 1920s | 70 |
| 1930s | 34 |
| 1940s | 42 |
| 1950s | 200 |
| 1960s | 328 |
| 1970s | 347 |
| 1980s | 314 |
| 1990s | 547 |
| 2000s | 668 |
| 2010s | 381 |
| 2020s | 197 |
Meaning & origin
Myriam is a French spelling of the ancient name Miriam, whose biblical roots remain influential. In the U.S., it peaked in popularity in 2003 at rank 1,990, but has since declined: by 2025 it had fallen to rank 4,878, with roughly 1 in 60,000 newborns receiving the name. Its usage remains concentrated in Texas, which may reflect both French heritage and Hispanic influences where the related Maryam is common. The trajectory of falling since its peak suggests Myriam is less favored today than in the early 2000s, yet it retains an elegant, cross-cultural appeal for parents seeking a variant of a classic name.
Myriam is the French spelling of Miriam, the Hebrew name borne by the sister of Moses and Aaron in the Old Testament. The name's exact meaning is uncertain; common interpretations include 'sea of bitterness', 'beloved', or 'rebellion'. It has been used as a given name in French-speaking regions for centuries and is also found in Arabic-speaking cultures as Maryam.
Where Myriam is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Myriam” around the world
Where Myriam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
235
babies in 2024
Quebec
13
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mimi, My, Miri
Sibling names for Myriam
Names that share Myriam's style, for a brother or sister.
