Comments (Meaning / History Only)
This name is derived from the Egyptian Mery(t)amun, meaning "beloved of Amun."
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In Hebrew, Miriam means 'to dance before the Lord' or in its longer form, 'the bright blessed flame who dances and is pleasing to the eye of the Lord our God.' In French it means 'Queen of the Sea.' In the Old Testament it is Miriam who revealed Moses's origins to him. It is she who engenders his cause.
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It is doubtful that Miriam (or any of its forms) means "bitter sea."
The error in this meaning, which is said to be of Latin origin, more than likely results from the false assumption that the female given name Maria (one of the MANY forms that stem from Miriam) stems somehow from "Mare" - which is
"Maria" in its plural NOM and ACC form. ("Mare" is an I-Stem 3rd-Declension noun.)
Latin words such Amarities and Amaritudo ("bitterness") are probably where the idea of "bitter" steps in. Once again, more than likely false.
Truly, it is doubtful that the linguistic origin of Miriam has anything to do with Latin. At the time that Exodus (and the story of Miriam) takes place, for example, the Roman Empire (and, therefore, the Latin language) was of little significance to Egypt. (Rome wasn't even an "Empire" at the time Exodus takes place/was recorded.) More simply put, there is little to no reason why a Hebrew child in Egypt should have a Latin(-based) name.
The name is more the likely of Hebrew or even Egyptian origin. (See btn.com's info on the subject under Mary.)
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The error in this meaning, which is said to be of Latin origin, more than likely results from the false assumption that the female given name Maria (one of the MANY forms that stem from Miriam) stems somehow from "Mare" - which is
"Maria" in its plural NOM and ACC form. ("Mare" is an I-Stem 3rd-Declension noun.)
Latin words such Amarities and Amaritudo ("bitterness") are probably where the idea of "bitter" steps in. Once again, more than likely false.
Truly, it is doubtful that the linguistic origin of Miriam has anything to do with Latin. At the time that Exodus (and the story of Miriam) takes place, for example, the Roman Empire (and, therefore, the Latin language) was of little significance to Egypt. (Rome wasn't even an "Empire" at the time Exodus takes place/was recorded.) More simply put, there is little to no reason why a Hebrew child in Egypt should have a Latin(-based) name.
The name is more the likely of Hebrew or even Egyptian origin. (See btn.com's info on the subject under Mary.)
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Miriam is not Hebrew. It is acutally originally Egyptian, the Hebrews would name their children Miriam so that they could better integrate and get along in the Egyptian society. Kind of like how everyone changes their name when they immigrate to America to fit in.
The Egyptian meaning for Miriam is obvious: Mirror of God. The symbol for the name Miriam is frequently found inscribed in the Pyramids, as proof of my claim.
Miriam is not derived from Mary, Mary is in fact derived from Miriam and how the "meaning" -'bitter' got attached to it, is some mystery. Mary means: Beloved of God. But that is another story.
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The Egyptian meaning for Miriam is obvious: Mirror of God. The symbol for the name Miriam is frequently found inscribed in the Pyramids, as proof of my claim.
Miriam is not derived from Mary, Mary is in fact derived from Miriam and how the "meaning" -'bitter' got attached to it, is some mystery. Mary means: Beloved of God. But that is another story.
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The name means either "bitterness" or "plump", but I highly doubt that every one named Miriam is fat or a sour old goose. Either way, I like this name.
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According to my resources, Miriam means "exalted". I think that's absolutely beautiful. I would not associate "bitter" with this name even though Miriam is a form of Mary. To me the names are entirely separate.
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According to Jewish tradition, it also means "the one who raises up, elevates, brings up".
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According to Jewish tradition, Miriam means "bitterly wished for child".
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