The name Hiram is believed to have originated from the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew words "Ram" meaning "exalted" and "Chiy" meaning "life". Together, the name Hiram can be interpreted as "exalted life" or "brother is exalted".

The name Hiram is mentioned in several religious texts, including the Bible and the Qur'an. In the Bible, Hiram was the king of Tyre, who provided materials and skilled workers to help King Solomon build the Temple in Jerusalem. This is recorded in the First Book of Kings and the Second Book of Chronicles.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Hiram can be found in the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, located in modern-day Lebanon. Hiram I, the king of Tyre, is believed to have reigned from around 980 BC to 947 BC. He is renowned for his alliance with King David and King Solomon, and for his role in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Hiram. One of the most famous is Hiram Bingham (1875-1956), the American explorer and academic who rediscovered the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru in 1911. Another well-known Hiram is Hiram Powers (1805-1873), an American neoclassical sculptor best known for his marble sculpture "The Greek Slave".

Hiram Revels (1822-1901) was an African-American clergyman and politician who became the first African-American to serve in the United States Congress when he was elected to the Senate from Mississippi in 1870. Hiram Walker (1816-1899) was a Canadian entrepreneur and founder of the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery, which became renowned for its Canadian Club whisky.

Hiram Maxim (1840-1916) was an American-born British inventor best known for his development of the first portable, fully automatic machine gun, the Maxim gun. His invention had a significant impact on modern warfare and military tactics.