Girl name
Meryem name meaning
“Beloved, loved one”
Meryem means beloved or loved one in the interpretation connecting it with Egyptian mry. It comes through Arabic Maryam from Hebrew Miryam. In Türkiye, it is a feminine given name. Mary, the mother of Jesus, supplies its historical and literary association and gives a Quranic sura its title.
What does Meryem mean?
Beloved, loved one
In Turkish: Sevilen, sevgili
Meryem is a long-established Turkish feminine name belonging to a name family present in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic narratives. In the Qur'an, it names the mother of Jesus and a chapter. Miriam, the sister of Moses, is another historical connection; “beloved” remains one interpretation rather than a settled original meaning.
How popular is Meryem?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- 2025 rank (girls)
- 19.
- Babies given the name in 2025
- 2,743
- Best rank
- 8.2018
- Trend (2018–2025)
- falling
- Girls named Meryem in Türkiye (2025)
- 320,576
Babies named Meryem each year
Show as a table
| Year | Girls | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Babies | |
| 2018 | 8 | 4,786 |
| 2019 | 12 | 4,089 |
| 2020 | 12 | 3,856 |
| 2021 | 11 | 3,635 |
| 2022 | 13 | 3,533 |
| 2023 | 12 | 3,228 |
| 2024 | 18 | 2,712 |
| 2025 | 19 | 2,743 |
Where is Meryem in the top 30?
79 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Double names with Meryem
Double names counted as one name in TÜİK newborn lists (all years and provinces combined).
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Why is Meryem popular?
Meryem remains in the top thirty despite declining over the years. Its meaning of “beloved” and longstanding association with Mary in religious tradition give it a warm, classic character.
Origin of the name Meryem
Through Arabic Maryam, the name derives from Hebrew Miryam. Its original meaning is disputed: “beloved” reflects a proposed connection with ancient Egyptian mry, associated with loving or being loved; other interpretations connect it with bitterness or rebellion.
| Linguistic origin | Hebrew, Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran |
| Is Meryem in the Quran? | Yes, as a name · مريم · 19:16, 3:42Maryam occurs as a personal name in the Quran, identifies Jesus's mother, and also gives a sura its title. |
| Starts with | M · Me |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
Double names with Meryem
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Meryem Sedanur
Meaning of each name
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
- Sedanur: voice and light
-
Ervanur Meryem
Meaning of each name
- Ervanur: a combination of Erva and Nur
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
-
Meryem Zehra
Meaning of each name
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
- Zehra: radiant woman; shining one
-
Asyanur Meryem
Meaning of each name
- Asyanur: Asia and light
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
-
Meryem Sacide
Meaning of each name
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
- Sacide: one who prostrates in worship
-
Azranur Meryem
Meaning of each name
- Azranur: name combining untouched purity and light
- Meryem: Beloved, loved one
Double names found in TÜİK’s newborn lists: Meryem Sare, Meryem Asel, Meryem Nur, Meryem Ada, Meryem Hafsa, Meryem Hüma.
How to pronounce Meryem
| Syllables | 2 · 6 letters · 6-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /meɾjem/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | مریم |
| Arabic | مريم |
Is Meryem a girl’s name?
Yes, Meryem is used mostly as a girl’s name. See all girl names.
Meryem appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists; among babies born in 2025 it ranked #19 (2,743 babies). See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Meryem
Names with related meanings
- Mihra♀Sun
- Özlem♀Longing for reunion
- Sevim♀Affection
- Yaren♀Friend, close companion
- Züleyha♀Heroine of the Yusuf and Züleyha story
- Bade♀Wine
- Sıla♀A longed-for home
- Zeliha♀Heroine of the Yusuf and Züleyha story
- Buse♀A kiss expressing affection
- Dila♀O heart, O beloved heart
- Mila♀Dear, beloved, lovely
- Gözde♀Favoured, highly regarded and cherished
Famous people named Meryem
- Meryem Uzerli · b. 1983
- Meryem Boz · b. 1988
- Meryem Şahinyan · b. 1911
- Meryem Bekmez · b. 2000
- Meryem Erdoğan · b. 1990
- Meryem Akdağ · b. 1992
- Meryem Betül Çavdar · b. 2000
- Meryem Koç · b. 1996
- Meryem Yamak · b. 1962
- Meryem Xan · b. 1904
- Meryem Küçükbirinci · b. 2004
- Meryem Altun · b. 1976
FAQ about the name Meryem
What is the meaning of Meryem?
Meryem means “Beloved, loved one”. Through Arabic Maryam, the name derives from Hebrew Miryam. Its original meaning is disputed: “beloved” reflects a proposed connection with ancient Egyptian mry, associated with loving or being loved; other interpretations connect it with bitterness or rebellion.
Is Meryem a girl’s name?
Yes, Meryem is used mostly as a girl’s name.
Is Meryem in the Quran?
Yes, as a name. Maryam occurs as a personal name in the Quran, identifies Jesus's mother, and also gives a sura its title. (e.g.: 19:16, 3:42)
What is the origin of the name Meryem?
Meryem is of Hebrew and Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Meryem have?
Meryem has 2 syllables and 6 letters.
How popular is the name Meryem?
Meryem appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists; among babies born in 2025 it ranked #19 (2,743 babies). See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What names go well with Meryem?
Some ideas: Meryem Sedanur; Ervanur Meryem; Meryem Zehra.
Famous people named Meryem?
Notable people named Meryem include Meryem Uzerli, Meryem Boz, Meryem Şahinyan.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00020 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake