How to say it
MAR · i · am
ˈmɑːr.i.əm
Feminine
Mariam
Beloved; drop of the sea
What it means
A form of Mary and Miriam, used widely in the Arabic world and Georgia.
Mariam is a widespread form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam, with meanings offered as 'beloved,' 'drop of the sea,' or 'bitter.' It is the standard form across the Arabic-speaking world, where Maryam is the mother of Jesus in the Quran, and a favorite in Georgia and Armenia. Soft and devout. Said MAR-ee-am.
How to spell Mariam
The standard spelling is Mariam. Common variants include Maryam, Miriam, Mariem, but Mariam is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #491 in 2024, currently #505 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A form of Mary; standard across the Arabic world and Georgia.
Spelling variants
- Maryam
- Miriam
- Mariem
Names with the same feeling
See Mariam from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Mariam mean?
- A form of Mary and Miriam, used widely in the Arabic world and Georgia.
- What does Mariam mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Mariam means "Beloved; drop of the sea." Mariam is a widespread form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam, with meanings offered as 'beloved,' 'drop of the sea,' or 'bitter.' It is the standard form across the Arabic-speaking world, where Maryam is the mother of Jesus in the Quran, and a favorite in Georgia and Armenia. Soft and devout. Said MAR-ee-am.
- How do you pronounce Mariam?
- Mariam is pronounced ˈmɑːr.i.əm. Say it as MAR-i-am, with the stress on the "mar" syllable.
- How do you spell Mariam?
- The standard spelling is Mariam. Common spelling variants include Maryam, Miriam, Mariem.
- Is Mariam a boy or girl name?
- Mariam is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Mariam?
- Mariam ranked #505 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.