How to say it
MAR · i · am
ˈmɑːr.i.æm
Feminine
Maryam
Mary
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.
How to spell Maryam
The standard spelling is Maryam. Common variants include Mariam, Maryan, Miriam, but Maryam is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #351 in 2025, currently #351 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
- 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
See Maryam from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Maryam mean?
- The Arabic and Aramaic form of Mary (Miriam), the name of the Virgin Mary in the Quran.
- What does Maryam mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Maryam means "Mary." 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.
- How do you pronounce Maryam?
- Maryam is pronounced ˈmɑːr.i.æm. Say it as MAR-i-am, with the stress on the "mar" syllable.
- How do you spell Maryam?
- The standard spelling is Maryam. Common spelling variants include Mariam, Maryan, Miriam.
- Is Maryam a boy or girl name?
- Maryam is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Maryam?
- Maryam ranked #351 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.