Maryam

How to say it

/ˈmɑːr.i.æm/

What it means

The Arabic and Aramaic form of Mary (Miriam), the name of the Virgin Mary in the Quran.

Maryam is the Arabic and Aramaic form of Mary, going back to the Hebrew Miriam. It carries unusual reach across faiths: Maryam is the name of the Virgin Mary in the Quran, where she is the only woman named directly and has a chapter of her own (Surah Maryam). Honored across Muslim and Eastern Christian communities alike, it is the original Semitic form behind every Mary and Maria. Mimi and Mary are gentle shorts.

Heads-up notes

• Worth knowing

  The Quranic name of the Virgin Mary; honored across Muslim and Christian communities.

• Spelling

  Maryam, Mariam, and Miriam are forms of the same ancient name.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Maryam the Virgin Mary as named in the Quran
• Maryam Mirzakhani mathematician, first woman to win the Fields Medal

Spelling variants

• Mariam
• Maryan
• Miriam

Names with the same feeling

• Mary Beloved, or 'bitter'
• Miriam Beloved, or 'bitter'
• Amira Princess, leader
• Amina Trustworthy, faithful
• Layla Night, dark beauty

See Maryam from another angle