Maryam

Classic Mary has many international variations and the strong, pretty Maryam is the Arabic, Persian, and Urdu form. Popular in many countries across the world, from Azerbaijan to France, The Netherlands to Iran and from England to Russia, Maryam is the form of Mary that appears in the Quran.

Just like its source name, Maryam's meaning is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

In Islamic tradition, Maryam is seen as one of the most important women to have lived and she is the only woman to be named in the Quran. She was chosen by God to give both to the penultimate Messiah, Isa.

In Iran, Maryam is the common name for Anastatica, a type of tumbleweed with small white flowers which is believed to help during pregnancy.

Also transcribed as Mariyam, Mariam, Meriem, and Məryəm, Maryam has become increasingly familiar in the US where it has been consistently in the charts since 2009. Given to around 740 girls in 2023, it is now comfortably in the Top 500.

Pronounced MAR-yum.

As of October 2026, Maryam ranked #351 in US births in 2025 SSA.