Help me with Miriam, Mira!

Girl Names
1

This is super long, but if you like the Swistle names blog, this is right up your alley :slight_smile:

We are expecting our second child next year, and I think I have found THE girl name. I just need to convince my husband.

A little about our names. We have had [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u] picked out for years, since before our first pregnancy with my son. We both instantly liked it. It was an “old lady” name (type I like) that seemed more current to my husband because of our mutual love for [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m]. We thought we would use it for this pregnancy if it were a girl, but a few things have made us feel otherwise:

  1. My two nieces are Naliyah and [name_f]Nahla[/name_f].
  2. Apparently, the name is much more popular in our state than the nation. Number 49 this year. Not enough to scare us from a name we love…our son’s name is even more popular now.
  3. In the past year, I have met 5 Noras in our city (not including 2 facebook friends with little Noras.) All these Noras are under age 5, 3 of them I met in the last month in our neighborhood! Not just hearing names at the playground, but actual conversations with them or their moms. I have met 1 [name_m]Levi[/name_m], 1 [name_f]Claire[/name_f], 0 Isaacs, and 0 Emmas. All popular names I love. My husband has even been put off! After the one we met this week, I think he was finally like, lets look for a new name.

We agreed we would find another name and pretend it was the name, and tell others when they asked what our baby names were. Then we could see if it would grow on us, but if we still love [name_f]Norah[/name_f] more when baby is born, we would choose it anyways.

Thus my quest. We like short and sweet names. Classic and familiar names. (My name is basically made up, and is a pain!) Names with positive meanings. Less used names are a big plus. Names we agree on: [name_f]Claire[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Mara[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Neva[/name_f].

Our son is [name_m]Levi[/name_m]. And our boy name for baby is [name_m]Simon[/name_m] [name_u]Reid[/name_u] Mc. Last name is the Mc Irish name in my signature.

Yesterday, I found “THE” name. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] called [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u] Mc. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u].

Why I love it?
1.[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] has been on my list for a while, just does not fit our short, sweet, simple style we gravitate to. She is classic and underused.
2. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] can be short, sweet. I love [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. It sounds like so many other names we/I love. [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Vera[/name_f], [name_f]Mara[/name_f].
3. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] has tons of beautiful meanings: peace, admirable, sea, star.
4. The first meaning I saw for [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] was “longed for child.” We have gone through two miscarriages for this baby, and it just feels perfect.
5. Cute nicknames: [name_f]Mira[/name_f], [name_f]Miri[/name_f], [name_f]Mim[/name_f].
6. Cool Biblical story.
7. Related to [name_f]Mary[/name_f], my living great grandmother.

Imperfections?

  1. More formal than our style.
  2. Creates double Ms with our last name.
  3. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] maybe not so easy to pronounce and spell? (MEER-[name_m]AH[/name_m])
  4. I typically stray from names that use the nickname primarily, but I love both these so much…it is like getting to use two names I love!

I have two areas where I need your help!

  1. Help me convince DH this is “the” name. I know he will not like [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], even if he does like [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. Too formal, stuffy, old is my guess. He seems to like names he can connect to pop culture. [name_f]Norah[/name_f] to [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m]. [name_f]Mara[/name_f] to [name_f]Mara[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f] Skywalker from [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars. [name_f]Cora[/name_f] to some Korra from a cartoon. Any cool references for [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]?
  2. Does [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] work with [name_m]Levi[/name_m]? If we have another child, does it have to be Biblical, or will another classic work? If we were to just go with [name_f]Mira[/name_f] as the full name, does she work with [name_m]Levi[/name_m]? Would we be stuck with another slightly less heard of name for a third? I like my kids to at least sound like they belong together. What name would you give to a sibling of [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m]? [name_f]Mira[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m]?

Thanks for sticking with me! :slight_smile:

2

I have to admit that I really like the name [name_f]Norah[/name_f]! But I see why you’ve been put off. I also like [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. I think that [name_f]Mira[/name_f] goes best with [name_m]Levi[/name_m] and your style. However pronunciation may be a problem as I initially pronounced it as MY-[name_m]RA[/name_m] instead of MEE-[name_m]RA[/name_m]. Having said that I don’t think it is a major issue so I recommend you go for it!
If DH doesn’t agree:

[name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Mable[/name_f]
[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Ethie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elva[/name_f]
[name_f]Maura[/name_f]/[name_f]Maureen[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f] nn Ness
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]
Vivienne

3

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is adorable! I would pronounce [name_f]Mira[/name_f] as MEER-[name_m]AH[/name_m] just from looking at it. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is actually the name of a song by [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m], not sure if that’s enough of a pop culture reference for your husband.

I think [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is a very biblical name, because of it’s association with one prominent character, and the fact that’s underused as a name today. It makes [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] sound great as a sibset! However, using a name that has no biblical associations with it next to [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] might not feel as cohesive. That being said, I think you could get away with it.

Some other suggestions:
[name_f]Nola[/name_f] (same feel as [name_f]Norah[/name_f], but probably much too similar to your nieces’ names)
[name_f]Jade[/name_f] - love this one, simple, sweet and familiar, but not overused
[name_f]Cara[/name_f] - Similar to [name_f]Clara[/name_f], but less popular
[name_u]Sage[/name_u]

4

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] is a beautiful name, but it is really popular. I have a friend who just recently had a [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f].

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is very cute. [name_m]Ive[/name_m] always loved [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], and [name_f]Mira[/name_f] fits that short, sweet name you’re looking for. I dont see why [name_f]Mira[/name_f] would have pronounciation issues. I read it as Meer-ah right away. I thought [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] was a variation of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], and had the same meaning… If not, the meaning you found is sweet. I think [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] sound good together. I wouldnt worry about the alliteration of miriam with your last name.

Suggestions:
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Mina[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Sara[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Eva[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Aria[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Leah[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Maisie[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]
[name_f]Moira[/name_f] - i think levi and moira would be sweet
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_u]Penny[/name_u]
[name_f]Carly[/name_f]

5

I love both [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f].

[name_f]Mira[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] are a darling sibset and using [name_f]Mira[/name_f] would avoid the OT name thing. I immediately thought Meer-ah. I can’t imagine anyone saying My-rah unless there were a y there. [name_f]IMO[/name_f] this is the way to go. I love them together.

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is more formal but if you love it, go for it. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] are definitely biblical together but not so much that it would preclude a non-biblical name.

6

Thanks ladies! I am pretty sure I can talk him into [name_f]Mira[/name_f] as a stand alone name. He really likes [name_f]Mara[/name_f], but it has a lot of associations with death, evil, nightmare. I can’t handle that :slight_smile: I really like names that are classic and have history, and am not sure [name_f]Mira[/name_f] has that by herself as much as I love it.

@hanbow [name_f]Flora[/name_f] is currently on our list of options. I never thought of [name_f]Maura[/name_f]. [name_m]Will[/name_m] look into it and bring it up. I kind of love [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], but not sure it is for us. The others don’t speak to me so much :slight_smile:

@julery Yes, I know “[name_f]Miriam[/name_f]” by [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m], but is about a home wrecker who she murders so not sure if that will do the trick. It is a lovely, disturbing song though :slight_smile: Yes, [name_f]Nola[/name_f] too close to niece. [name_f]Jade[/name_f] was almost my name, and I have considered it. I have a cousin [name_f]Cara[/name_f]. [name_u]Sage[/name_u] is meh for me.

@rhiataylor You are right on the [name_f]Mary[/name_f]-[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] link. Meaning bitter, but apparently there are several guesses on the origin of the name. Nameberry has it as “wished for child.” And your list of suggestions is divine, as almost all of them have been or are still on the list. But [name_f]Moira[/name_f] is again popping out at me.

I am glad to know pronunciation is not as much as an issue as I thought.

7

I’d go with [name_f]Mira[/name_f], due to the actress [name_f]Mira[/name_f] Sorvino, I think more people would pronounce it correctly.

I don’t know of the [name_f]Mara[/name_f] [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars connection, but I did once meet an actual [name_f]Mara[/name_f]. She would be in her late 30s now. I like the name.

Other options would be [name_f]Maryse[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], [name_f]Martha[/name_f], [name_f]Marta[/name_f], [name_f]Martha[/name_f], [name_f]Mireille[/name_f] ([name_m]French[/name_m], pronounced meer-ay), [name_f]Mavis[/name_f], [name_f]Maelys[/name_f], Marille.

8

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is gorgeous! It’s so much more special and interesting than [name_f]Norah[/name_f] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f], in my opinion. I’ve loved the name for ages - plus there are so many cool connections that you listed. I doubt anyone would mispronounce it, like mimiottawa said, as it is a Biblical name that is very well-known, despite it’s lack of Top 50 popularity. No one mispronounces [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], do they?
As for pop culture references, there are a variety of actresses named [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] ([name_m]McDonald[/name_m], Margoyles, Yeung, etc.), but the coolest I can think of is [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] Makeba, who was a South African singer as well as a civil rights activist. She fought against apartheid in her country, and is attributed to vastly increasing the popularity of African music around the world. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] Nakamoto is a skilled MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter.
[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] are awesome, and I think it’s so much better than your other options.
I know a [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] who was named for the meaning - “wished for”. Her middle name means “wish granted.”

9

[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_u]June[/name_u] as a first, since you like it as a middle? It’s sweet, quirky, and vintage. I haven’t met any little girls with the name yet, and it’s national rank is only at 450 or so, so not popular at all! Also, [name_f]Juna[/name_f], [name_f]Junia[/name_f].

I do really like [name_f]Nora[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u]. I actually haven’t met any [name_f]Nora[/name_f]'s yet, but I can believe that in other cities it’s popular. Such a shame when that happens to our favourites! That’s like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] for me, le sigh.

Anyway, [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] nickname [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is darling! I naturally pronounce [name_f]Mira[/name_f] the way that you do, and can’t imagine another pronunciation. Also, anyone who knows her as “[name_f]Mira[/name_f]” will have heard it before seeing it, you know?

Also consider nickname “[name_f]Miri[/name_f].” Slightly harder to say, but very cute!

The only thing you might want to consider is that [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] is very Biblical and religious sounding, so it definitely gives off a certain feeling.

10

@mimiottawa Yea, I like [name_f]Mara[/name_f], but mentioned it has strong associations with death. :frowning: The [name_f]Mara[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f] is apparently from the books, not the movie.

@bibliophile Your post pumps me up. I am so smitten, and love the associations you mention. I am working on my DH. Apparently, he just discovered that [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is a main character in a [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars video game. Maybe I can win him over to [name_f]Miriam[/name_f].

@cosmonaut [name_u]June[/name_u] as a first is a good idea. I do have a cousin [name_u]Juniper[/name_u], nn [name_f]Juni[/name_f]. [name_u]June[/name_u] would definitely be [name_f]Junie[/name_f] to me:) I also love the nn [name_f]Miri[/name_f]. Yes, I know [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] is very Biblical. Mostly okay with me. We are Christians, although not very conservative. I just dislike that it would put us in a “Biblical name” bubble possibly if we were to have a third child. :frowning: Maybe not though.

11

I love your taste in names. I have a DD named [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and I love it for many of the same reasons you do. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is a great nn or fn.

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] would be a great option as well. [name_m]Levi[/name_m] and [name_f]Maura[/name_f] definitely feel less biblical together if that is an issue for you.

What about [name_f]Mariam[/name_f] or [name_f]Naomi[/name_f]?

BTW [name_m]Simon[/name_m] [name_u]Reid[/name_u] is a fantastic combo as well.

12

[name_f]Mira[/name_f] is our girl frontrunner. For many of the reasons you mentioned, plus people generally like it (I’ve polled it quite a bit). Short, simple, still somewhat unusual, and I agree that familiarity with [name_f]Mira[/name_f] Sorveno will help people pronounce it correctly. I know some still think “My-ra” but in my mind that would be spelled [name_f]Myra[/name_f] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f] should obviously be MEER-a. Perhaps my favorite thing about [name_f]Mira[/name_f] is that it is another name for Omicron Ceti, which is a very neat binary star system that varies in brightness throughout the year. A “Twinkle Twinkle [name_m]Little[/name_m] [name_f]Star[/name_f]” themed nursery seems very appropriate :wink: And going stargazing for Mira with Mira would be fantastic.

Downside: [name_f]Mira[/name_f] means “Look!” in Spanish. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is just not my style.

13

[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] with the nickname [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. I don’t think you would have any pronunciation problems at all with [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. It’s a pretty well known name and I’ve never heard anyone pronounce it any other way except meer-ah. You could also use [name_f]Miranda[/name_f] instead as another way to get to [name_f]Mira[/name_f] if your husband won’t go for [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]. I also like [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u] so really, I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

Out of curiosity, what is the death association with [name_f]Mara[/name_f]? I’ve never heard any, only that the name is another form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f].

14

@missv I do love [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] as well! You obviously have goo taste in names. Does your [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] go by any nicknames?

@iamamiam I love the star association too. [name_m]How[/name_m] cool!

@pansy Appellation Mountain names seems to hit most the negative associations: Baby Name of the Day: Mara - Appellation Mountain Norse name for a goblin sent to torment sleepers. [name_f]Mara[/name_f] was a demon in a Buddhist myth. In Slavic culture, she is goddess of death. Hindu goddess of death. :frowning:

15

We very occasionally use [name_f]Miri[/name_f] or [name_f]Mimi[/name_f] for our [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], but we mostly use her full name (she’s still a toddler so this might change). I thought that I would use [name_f]Mira[/name_f] more often, but it hasn’t felt natural for us.

You could also use [name_f]Mia[/name_f] as a nn although it is fairly popular on its own.

We have gotten quite a few compliments on our DD’s name. The only negative comments where “oh that’s a more traditional name” which doesn’t bother me since we wanted something that was recognizable, but not too popular.

I’ve actually met a few little girls named [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Myriam[/name_f] and [name_f]Mariam[/name_f] (as well as several gown women), but they were all either of [name_m]French[/name_m] or Middle Eastern origin.