A Name Story by Houdhoud
مَرْيَم
Maryam
MAR-yam
“Beloved; exalted.”
About Maryam
Maryam is a Muslim baby girl's name meaning "beloved; exalted" — an Arabic-Aramaic-Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.
Of Aramaic and Hebrew origin, adopted into Arabic. The name of Maryam, mother of the Prophet Isa ﷺ — the only woman named directly in the Qur'an, with Surah 19 named after her.
Universal across Muslim and Christian families; the Surah Maryam association makes it especially honored.
Origin & roots
Origin
Arabic (Aramaic root) · Arabic
Gender
Girl
Also spelled
Mariam, Maria, Miriam
Root letters
These letters reach back further than Arabic itself — into Aramaic, the everyday tongue of much of the ancient Near East.
In the Qur’an
Surah 19 : Ayah 16
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا
“And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Maryam, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.”
Saheeh International translation · sourced from Tanzil
Maryam appears in the Qur'an directly. The verse above is one of those mentions.
Across history
Who has carried Maryam before.
- Maryam, mother of the Prophet Isa ﷺ; Surah 19 of the Qur'an is named after her
How to say it
Stressed syllable in capitals
Discover names like Maryam
Other names with the same heart — close in origin, sound, and spirit.
AA-ee-shah · Arabic
“Living, prosperous, full of life.”
FAA-ti-mah · Arabic
“One who weans; she who abstains.”
a-MEE-nah · Arabic
“Trustworthy, faithful, secure.”
ee-MAAN · Arabic
“Faith, belief.”
AH-mee-na · Arabic
“Trustworthy (Bosnian usage).”
ha-LEE-ma · Arabic · Swahili
“Gentle, patient.”
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