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I do like the MARE sound better than the MEER sound.

Mariam and Maryam both feel like mispronunciations/spellings of Miriam to me. I guess I'm just not familiar with them in the real world. I had never heard of them before coming to BtN and still have never met one. I know they aren't mispronunciations, but that's all I hear.

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That said, there is nothing inherently awful about Mariam. You may have to correct a few ignorant people like myself, but we can all stand to learn something.

I prefer Miriam. Or Marion / Marianne.

I know a Mariam and absolutely NOBODY gets it right. She is always called either Miriam or Marian.

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I'd assume the parents of a Mariam were Middle Eastern Muslims.

I prefer Mariam over Miriam (Miriam sounds too mumbly to me), but I dislike both. I'd prefer Marian or Marion.

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I say Miriam as MIR-ee-əm (very close ot MIR-yəm) and Mariam as MAH-ree-əm / MAR-ee-əm.

God No.
All I can picture with Mariam is an Arabic girl with brown eyes and black/brown hair. Nothing wrong with that obviously, but I just can't see it on a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Not sure if that's how your daughter is going to look, but I'm sure she wont look Arabic. I don't pronounce them the same either.

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I prefer Miriam.

This message was edited 8/14/2013, 9:56 AM

I don't like Mariam, but I think it could be a good choice for you. It sidesteps the possibility of Miri as a nn, making it a little more distinct from your niece's name, which I know that has been a concern. I also think you've mentioned liking "Mari" in the past, so win-win.

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I still like Judith more, though.

I much prefer Maryam (this spelling) to Miriam. I think Miriam is a great name but a bad experience spoiled it for me. I prefer Maryam anyway though. There is the issue that Mariam/Maryam will be misread/misheard as Marian/Maryann, but then that will most likely happen with Miriam anyway.

No. Miriam.

Hmm, I think I might actually prefer Mariam over Miriam. It seems more unique, and perhaps even a little more modern. I realize it's likely not, but it seems that way. I feel like Mariam has more personality than Miriam. Also, it gets rid of the issue of it being too close to Mira.

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Two thumbs up!

It's not bad, more interesting than Mary and not as weak as Miriam, but the potential for having it misheard as Miriam or Marian is very high. I'd just use Marian.

I prefer Mariam over Miriam. I'm not a huge fan of this whole family of names, but my favorite form is Meryem.

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ETA: I pronounce all three differently.

This message was edited 8/13/2013, 6:42 PM

I have no problem with Mariam. I just think some people are going to hear Miriam so that might cause a bit of a problem. IOW, I think she might have to reintroduce herself several times until people get it.

While Mariam is very pretty, I still much prefer Miriam. I think it has a nicer sound and feel to it.

It's pretty. I prefer Miriam, but Mariam has its charms. May I suggest Mariamne, as well?

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This message was edited 8/13/2013, 4:50 PM

Prefer Maryam

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Like Miriam as well

I pronounce them differently. Miriam is MEER-iam, and Mariam is MARE-iam.

I think it would be a pain in the neck. If you like Mariam, why not go with Marian or what about the underused and pretty Mariana?