"exalted brother"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Hiram
Pronunciation: [ h-EYER-uhm ]
Does Hiram flow with your last name?
An ancient Hebrew name carried by kings and craftsmen
Hebrew
American
Freemasonry tradition
Vintage
Traditional
Strong
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Hiram
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Hiram
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my brother is high, noble"
Origin: Hebrew Ahiram
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Hiram
See all →What the Hiram report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Hiram the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Hiram
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Hiram head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Hiram actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Hiram
Hiram is one of the oldest names in continuous Western use, rooted in the Hebrew 'Ahiram' meaning 'exalted brother.' In the Bible, Hiram was the Phoenician king of Tyre who supplied cedar wood and skilled craftsmen to King Solomon for building the First Temple in Jerusalem. This sacred association made Hiram a revered figure in Freemasonry, where Hiram Abiff is the legendary master architect of Solomon's Temple.
Hiram was a common choice among Puritan and frontier families in colonial America through the 19th century. Its peak popularity was roughly 1800-1870, after which it gradually fell from fashion as naming trends shifted toward shorter, less overtly Biblical names.
In Freemasonry, Hiram Abiff is the central figure of the Master Mason degree — the legendary architect who sacrificed his life rather than reveal the secrets of his craft. This gives the name a dimension of honor, integrity, and skilled mastery beyond its Biblical roots.
Historical Record
Hiram first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,147 babies have been named Hiram in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hiram is past its peak , currently ranked #1,768 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant — a clerical error at West Point switched his name to Ulysses S., which he kept
- Hiram Bingham III, the explorer who publicized Machu Picchu in 1911, was a senator and the inspiration for Indiana Jones
- In Freemasonry, Hiram Abiff is considered the symbolic patron of all builders and craftsmen
Hiram in Other Languages
Arabic
حيرام
French
Hiram
Hebrew
חִירָם
Spanish
Hiram
Popularity Over Time
#1,768
Current Rank
Peaked 1952
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hiram
H
Hiram Bingham III
Explorer
1875
American explorer, academic, and senator who brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911 and inspired the ch...
American explorer, academic, and senator who brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911 and inspired the character of Indiana Jones
U
Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant)
Military
1822
18th President of the United States and commanding general of Union forces in the Civil War, born with this name before ...
18th President of the United States and commanding general of Union forces in the Civil War, born with this name before a West Point clerical error changed it
H
Hiram Abiff Fictional
Other
Legendary master architect of Solomon's Temple in Freemasonic tradition, symbol of craft, honor, and sacrifice
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,768
- Total SSA Count
- 93
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew American Freemasonry tradition
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Hi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hiram
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Hiram fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Hiram →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Hiram with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Hiram
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Hiram and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Hiram sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Kobi
Boy
Hebrew origin
"supplanter, may God protect"
#1,679 in US
Karsen
Boy
Old Norse/Scottish (via Carson) origin
"son of Carr, son of the marsh dweller"
#1,836 in US
Gene
Boy
Greek origin
"well-born, of noble descent"
#1,910 in US
Camari
Boy
Swahili/Arabic origin
"moonlight, radiance"
#1,868 in US
Lucky
Boy
Middle Dutch via English origin
"one touched by good fortune"
#1,864 in US
Clifton
Boy
Old English origin
"cliff settlement"
#1,756 in US
Presley
Boy
Old English origin
"priest's meadow, clearing"
#1,732 in US
Truitt
Boy
American English origin
"honest, true, trustworthy"
#1,874 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Hiram's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiram
What does the name Hiram mean?
"exalted brother" (from Hebrew). "my brother is high, noble" (from Hebrew Ahiram). Hiram is one of the oldest names in continuous Western use, rooted in the Hebrew 'Ahiram' meaning 'exalted brother.' In the Bible, Hiram was the Phoenician king of Tyre who supplied cedar wood and skilled craftsmen to King Solomon for building the First Temple in Jerusalem. This sacred association made Hiram a revered figure in Freemasonry, where Hiram Abiff is the legendary master architect of Solomon's Temple.
What is the origin of the name Hiram?
Hiram has Hebrew, Hebrew Ahiram, American, and Freemasonry tradition origins. In Hebrew, it means "exalted brother". In Hebrew Ahiram, it means "my brother is high, noble".
Is Hiram a boy or girl name?
Hiram is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hiram?
Hiram is pronounced h-EYER-uhm.
How popular is the name Hiram?
Hiram is currently ranked #1768 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Hiram?
Popular middle name pairings include Hiram Lee, Hiram James, Hiram Grant, Hiram Earl, and Hiram Dale.
What are good sibling names for Hiram?
Names that pair well with Hiram as siblings include Ezra, Elijah, Caleb, Ruth, Abigail, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Hiram have?
Hiram has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hiram a common or rare name?
Hiram is an uncommon name, ranked #1768 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hiram
Hiram is a boy name with Hebrew, American, and Freemasonry tradition origins . The name means "exalted brother" in Hebrew .
Hiram is currently ranked #1,768 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hiram has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EYER-uhm, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hiram include Hi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More boy names like Hiram
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis