Message: "Miriam" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Miriam

by Lily8

4/21/2009, 2:03 PM

Okay so this is really growing on me. I know I posted on it before but it was a while back and I have some more questions.

Which nickname should I use for it? Mimi or Miri?

How do you pronounce Mimi? MIM-ee or MEE-mee? How do you pronounce Miri? MIR-ee or MEE-ree?

Is Miriam too serious or old fashioned sounding?

Do you think I could use it? I have a cousin named Nora Miriam and we are pretty close. She never gets called Miriam though, she's always Nora. Opinions?

#Miriam

Replies

- LoQuiero

4/22/2009, 10:43 AM

I kind of like the English pronounciation of it, MIR-ee-am, with a short first syllable. I had a friend called Miriam, but as we're German, we pronounce it, of course, MEE-ree-ahm, and I dislike the name in German. In English, I think it's very cool, and not common, so it's nice to see on a girl nowadays. My friend frequently got called Miri (MEE-ree), and I definitely prefer Miri to Mimi which I just find ridiculous, to be honest. But, if I could decide, I would either choose a completely different nn or none at all. And who says you have to pick a nn for your child before it's even born? In our family, they've always kind of developed... Some people stick with nns that aren't even close to their fns, but somebody started to call them that and it stuck... I think I'd find Mim (MIMM) very cute as a nn for Miriam, btw. Or Miri/Mirry/Mirrie pronounced MIRR-ee, short first syllable. Or Ria/Ree.

- Murasaki (lady murasaki)

4/22/2009, 1:48 AM

Mimi is better a nn for a child, Miri works best for someone older. I don't think it's too serious or dated. It's an absolutely gorgeous name. And I don't think it matters that it's your cousin's mn, if she never uses it.

- Jonquil

4/22/2009, 1:06 AM

This name is sooooo beautiful. I love its sound, its look, and its Biblical association.
I think Miri is a pretty nn, fresher and less common than Mimi, but both are cute.

- BBH

4/21/2009, 6:01 PM

love Miriam

LOVE Miri..

- Michelle (-Shell-)

4/21/2009, 4:29 PM

I was friends with a girl at school called Miriam. We called her Miri (MIR-ree)occasionally but mostly just Miriam.
I dont find it old fashioned sounding and if anything would be re-freshing to hear it now.
I also think if you are close with your cousin she would find it honouring to use her middle name. Good luck.

- TheDreadedSockMonkey

4/21/2009, 3:42 PM

I think Miriam is kind of cute. I normally don't like old lady names, but Miriam has a certain charm to it that I don't see in, say, Agnes or Ethel.

I think Miri is the cutest NN. Mimi sounds more like a pet.

I pronounce Mimi as Mee-mee. Miri is Meer-ee.

I think it would be fine to use it. If it is your cousin's MN and no one ever calls her that, it shouldn't be a problem. She might even be flattered if you guys are close.

- carmags

4/21/2009, 2:57 PM

I have a niece named Miriam who goes by Mitzi. Her French teacher calls her Mimi.

- KrisMichelle

4/21/2009, 2:32 PM

I absolutely love love LOVE Miriam!!! I would name a daughter that if I could get DH to like it. *sigh* Anyway, to answer your questions, I pronounce them MEE-MEE (barely more inflection on the first syllable) and MIHR-EE (same inflection as Mimi.) I don't think it is too serious or old-fashioned at all! Also, I don't see your cousin having it as a middle name as a problem. I really hope you end up using it, as I'd love to see someone get to!

- Andromache (Hannah Ruth)

4/21/2009, 2:25 PM

I prefer Miriam "Miri" (MIH-ree). I'm not a huge fan of Mimi (MEE-mee).

- Bear

4/21/2009, 2:11 PM

Miriam is gorgeous. It usually gets rave reviews here on the boards and something is telling me Miriam will be making a comeback soon.

My favorite nn for Miriam is Mim. But Mimi ("MEE-mee") is definitely a favorite nn as well.

I like Miri ("MEER-ee") too, so you can't go wrong with any of them.

My favorite combo for Miriam is Miriam Susanna.

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