Hiram

Pronunciation: [ h-EYER-uhm ]

Boy Name #1,768 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An ancient Hebrew name carried by kings and craftsmen

Hebrew American Freemasonry tradition

Vintage Traditional Strong Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"exalted brother"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"my brother is high, noble"

Origin: Hebrew Ahiram

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Hiram

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

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

Hiram Abiff Fictional

Other

Legendary master architect of Solomon's Temple in Freemasonic tradition, symbol of craft, honor, and sacrifice

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

Pairs Well With

Hiram Lee Hiram James Hiram Grant Hiram Earl Hiram Dale

Sibling Names

Ezra Elijah Caleb Ruth Abigail Naomi

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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 common nicknames for Hiram?

Common nicknames for Hiram include Hi.

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.