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Miranda

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-RAN-duh /mɪˈræn.də/High

Meaning: From Latin mirandus, gerundive of mirari meaning to wonder at or to admire; literally meaning she who must be admired or worthy of admiration; coined or popularized by Shakespeare for The TempestHigh

In 30 seconds: A beautiful Latin name meaning worthy of admiration, Miranda was likely coined by Shakespeare for The Tempest and has since become a beloved classic in the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom Latin mirandus, gerundive of mirari meaning to wonder at or to admire; literally meaning she who must be admired or worthy of admiration; coined or popularized by Shakespeare for The Tempest
U.S. rank (2025)#656 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births437 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 114,978

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199518812025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Miranda is derived from the Latin gerundive mirandus, meaning she who must be admired or worthy of admiration. Shakespeare used it for the daughter of Prospero in The Tempest, and while the name may have existed before Shakespeare, it was his usage that popularized it. The name's first confirmed uses in English birth records followed the play's success.

Miranda grew steadily in English-speaking use through the 18th and 19th centuries and rose sharply in the mid-20th century. In the United States it was particularly popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. The name also gained a legal dimension from the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Miranda v. Arizona, which established Miranda rights. Singer Miranda Lambert has kept the name in contemporary country music culture.

Did you know? Shakespeare introduced Miranda as the innocent, wonder-struck heroine of The Tempest (c. 1611) — and her very name, from Latin mirari (to wonder), perfectly captures her character of marveling at the world.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Miranda — etymology and literary historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MirandeMira

Nicknames

MiraRandaRandi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Miranda Lambert (1983–present)
    American country music singer and songwriter.
  • ★Miranda Kerr (1983–present)
    Australian model and entrepreneur.

If you like Miranda…

Portia— shares the Shakespearean literary origin and the same Latin-rooted dignity
Cordelia— fellow Shakespeare heroine with the same multi-syllable romantic elegance
Rosalind— another Shakespeare heroine name with the same classical grace
Viola— shares the same literary pedigree and the same soft, Latin-rooted charm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Miranda mean?

Miranda comes from Latin mirandus, meaning she who must be admired or worthy of wonder and admiration.

How do you pronounce Miranda?

It is said mih-RAN-duh /mɪˈræn.də/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Did Shakespeare invent the name Miranda?

Shakespeare likely popularized Miranda for The Tempest (c. 1611), though it may have existed before him. His usage drove its adoption as a given name.

Is Miranda still a popular name?

Miranda was most popular in the U.S. in the 1990s–2000s and remains in regular use today.