UK girl's name
Miri
An Indian feminine given name derived from Sanskrit meaning "ocean".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Miri is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Miri popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1672, with 18 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 28 births.
This profile covers 264 England and Wales registrations across 26 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 64% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 263 living people in the UK are called Miri. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Miri ranked #1672 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 18 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 28 girls were registered as Miri.
- • About 263 living people in the UK are estimated to have Miri as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1672
2024
Births in 2024
18
Latest year
Peak year
2022
28 births
Estimated living
263
2026
Meaning
What does Miri mean?
The name Miri has its origins rooted in various cultures and languages across the world. One of the earliest known references to the name can be traced back to the Hebrew language, where it is believed to be a diminutive form of the name Miriam, meaning "bitter" or "beloved."
In Persian culture, the name Miri is derived from the word "mir," which means "prince" or "leader." It was often given to children born into noble or ruling families. The name has also been associated with the Persian word "meri," meaning "sweet" or "pleasant."
The name Miri has also been found in Japanese culture, where it is written using the kanji characters 美里, meaning "beautiful village." In this context, the name is often associated with a sense of natural beauty and serenity.
Historically, the name Miri has been recorded in various ancient texts and scriptures. One notable example is the biblical figure Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, who played a significant role in the Exodus story. Her name is believed to be the source of the modern variations, including Miri.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Miri. One such figure is Miri Regev (born 1965), an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset. Another is Miri Maskin (born 1953), an American economist and professor at Harvard University, known for her contributions to game theory and mechanism design.
In the field of literature, Miri Littky (born 1952) is a renowned Israeli author and poet, recognized for her works exploring themes of identity, memory, and exile. Miri Ammerman (born 1947) is an American activist and advocate for disability rights, whose efforts have been instrumental in promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
Miri Ben-Ari (1932-2019) was an Israeli singer and actress, often referred to as the "First Lady of Israeli Song." Her music and performances played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Israel during the 20th century.
While these are just a few examples, the name Miri has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each contributing to its rich history and legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Miri over time
The chart below shows babies named Miri registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Miri, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 18 births in 2024, compared with 28 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Miri by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Miri was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #1591 | 97 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2719 | 107 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3186 | 47 | 8 |
| 1990s | #3013 | 13 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Miri
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Miri: questions and answers
How popular is the name Miri in the UK right now?
In 2024, Miri was ranked #1672 for girls in England and Wales, with 18 births registered.
When was Miri most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 28 babies registered as Miri in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Miri?
An Indian feminine given name derived from Sanskrit meaning "ocean".
How many people are called Miri in the UK?
A total of 264 babies have been registered as Miri across the 26 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.