What does Miriam mean?
An ancient Hebrew name of debated meaning, variously read “beloved,” “bitter,” or “of the sea.” Miriam is the sister of Moses.
What does Eliza mean?
A short form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew, “God is my oath.”
Miriam vs Eliza
Which is more popular?
Eliza is more popular than Miriam today: about 2,370 US babies were given the name Eliza in 2025, compared with 1,262 named Miriam.
| Miriam | Eliza | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Of debated origin | God is my oath |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | MEER-ee-um | ih-LY-zuh |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1924 (1,834) | 2021 (2,484) |
| In 2025 | 1,262 | 2,370 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Miriam
Eliza
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Miriam | Eliza |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,334 | 14,227 |
| 2010s | 10,927 | 17,726 |
| 2000s | 11,356 | 9,608 |
| 1990s | 10,071 | 4,750 |
| 1980s | 7,729 | 2,774 |
| 1970s | 6,433 | 1,725 |
| 1960s | 8,084 | 1,007 |
| 1950s | 9,544 | 1,057 |
| 1940s | 7,107 | 1,391 |
| 1930s | 8,348 | 1,817 |
| 1920s | 15,504 | 3,227 |
| 1910s | 11,048 | 3,289 |
| 1900s | 2,566 | 2,397 |
| 1890s | 1,397 | 2,723 |
| 1880s | 462 | 2,851 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Miriam or Eliza more popular?
Eliza is more popular than Miriam today: about 2,370 US babies were given the name Eliza in 2025, compared with 1,262 named Miriam.
What is the difference between Miriam and Eliza?
Miriam means Of debated origin (Hebrew origin), while Eliza means God is my oath (Hebrew origin).
Which name is older, Miriam or Eliza?
In US records, Miriam first appears in 1880 and Eliza in 1880, so Miriam has the longer recorded history.