Find out how popular the first name Merjem has been for the last 12 years (from 2009 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Merjem by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Merjem is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Merjem.

The history of the first name Merjem

The name Merjem is derived from the Arabic name Maryam, which is the Arabic version of the biblical name Mary. The name has its roots in ancient Aramaic, originating from the Hebrew name Miryam.

The name Maryam is mentioned numerous times in the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. It is considered a highly revered name as it refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who holds a significant position in Islamic theology.

The earliest recorded use of the name Merjem can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early Islamic era. It was a popular name among Muslim communities in the Middle East and North Africa.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Merjem. One of the earliest examples is Merjem bint Muhammad al-Tahiri (born around 801 CE), a renowned female scholar and poet from Basra, Iraq.

In the 12th century, Merjem al-Batanuniyyah (died 1188 CE) was a pioneering female physician and philosopher from Syria who made significant contributions to the field of medicine.

During the Ottoman Empire, Merjem Hatun (born around 1500 CE) was a prominent Ottoman poet and calligrapher known for her exceptional literary skills and calligraphic works.

In the modern era, Merjem Bennani (1940-1992) was a Moroccan writer and feminist activist who fought for women's rights and social justice in her country.

Another notable figure is Merjem Mekki (born 1967), an influential Tunisian journalist and human rights advocate, recognized for her work in promoting freedom of expression and democracy in the Arab world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Merjem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Merjem, please contact us.

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