"worthy of admiration, she who must be admired"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Miranda
Pronunciation: [ m-er-AND-uh ]
Girl Name
#622 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
Shakespeare's daughter, born to be admired
English
American
Spanish
Italian
Classic
Literary
Elegant
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
"wonderful, marvelous"
Origin: Latin (mirari)
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- The Miranda warning (rights read to criminal suspects in the US since 1966) is a widely known legal term; teasing is possible but generally minor
The Story of Miranda
Miranda is the gerundive form of the Latin verb mirari, meaning 'to wonder at, to admire.' As a gerundive, Miranda literally translates as 'she who must be admired' or 'worthy of admiration' — an inherently superlative name. William Shakespeare coined the name for the heroine of The Tempest (c. 1611), the daughter of the magician Prospero who has grown up on an enchanted island and is overwhelmed by her first sight of other humans ('O brave new world, that has such people in't').
Miranda has been in use since Shakespeare introduced it in 1611. It peaked in the United States in the 1990s. The name received cultural attention from the TV series Sex and the City, where Miranda Hobbes was one of the four lead characters (1998–2004), and from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Hamilton creator.
In international law, the Miranda warning — required in U.S. law since Miranda v. Arizona (1966) — takes its name from the defendant Ernesto Miranda. In astronomy, Miranda is one of Uranus's moons, discovered in 1948. In literature, Miranda of The Tempest is one of Shakespeare's most innocent and wonder-filled heroines.
Fun Facts
- Shakespeare invented the name Miranda for The Tempest (c. 1611) — it didn't exist as a given name before his play
- Miranda is the name of one of Uranus's moons, discovered in 1948 by astronomer Gerard Kuiper, who named it after Shakespeare's character
Miranda in Other Languages
Latin
Miranda
French
Miranda
Italian
Miranda
Spanish
Miranda
Portuguese
Miranda
Famous People Named Miranda
M
Miranda Kerr
Business
1983
Australian model and founder of organic skincare brand KORA Organics; former Victoria's Secret Angel
L
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Entertainer
1980
Puerto Rican-American playwright, composer, and actor; creator of Hamilton (2015) and In the Heights (2021); multiple To...
Puerto Rican-American playwright, composer, and actor; creator of Hamilton (2015) and In the Heights (2021); multiple Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner
C
Carmen Miranda
Entertainer
1909
Brazilian-Portuguese actress, singer, and dancer known as 'The Brazilian Bombshell,' famous for her elaborate fruit-topp...
Brazilian-Portuguese actress, singer, and dancer known as 'The Brazilian Bombshell,' famous for her elaborate fruit-topped hats
M
Miranda (The Tempest) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Shakespeare's The Tempest (c. 1611), the daughter of the magician Prospero, raised on an enchanted island...
Protagonist of Shakespeare's The Tempest (c. 1611), the daughter of the magician Prospero, raised on an enchanted island and known for her wonder and goodness
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #622
- Total SSA Count
- 478
- Cultural Origins
- English American Spanish Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mandy
Randa
Mira
Randy
Miri
Pairs Well With
Miranda Grace
Miranda Rose
Miranda Lee
Miranda Kate
Miranda Anne
Miranda Jane
Miranda Lynn
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Miranda is also used as a boy name, ranked #42705.
View Miranda as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Miranda
What does the name Miranda mean?
"worthy of admiration, she who must be admired" (from Latin). "wonderful, marvelous" (from Latin (mirari)). Miranda is the gerundive form of the Latin verb mirari, meaning 'to wonder at, to admire.' As a gerundive, Miranda literally translates as 'she who must be admired' or 'worthy of admiration' — an inherently superlative name. William Shakespeare coined the name for the heroine of The Tempest (c. 1611), the daughter of the magician Prospero who has grown up on an enchanted island and is overwhelmed by her first sight of other humans ('O brave new world, that has such people in't').
What is the origin of the name Miranda?
Miranda has Latin, Latin (mirari), English, American, Spanish, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "worthy of admiration, she who must be admired". In Latin (mirari), it means "wonderful, marvelous".
Is Miranda a boy or girl name?
Miranda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #622. As a boy name, it is ranked #42705. Miranda is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Miranda?
Miranda is pronounced m-er-AND-uh.
How popular is the name Miranda?
Miranda is currently ranked #622 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Miranda?
Common nicknames for Miranda include Mandy, Randa, Mira, Randy, and Miri.
What are good middle names for Miranda?
Popular middle name pairings include Miranda Grace, Miranda Rose, Miranda Lee, Miranda Kate, Miranda Anne, Miranda Jane, and Miranda Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Miranda?
Names that pair well with Miranda as siblings include Olivia, Cordelia, Sebastian, Julian, Beatrice, Ferdinand, and Portia.
How many syllables does Miranda have?
Miranda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Miranda a common or rare name?
Miranda is moderately common, ranked #622 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Miranda
Miranda is a girl name with English, American, Spanish, and Italian origins . The name means "worthy of admiration, she who must be admired" in Latin .
Is Miranda a boy or girl name? Miranda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #622 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #42,705. Miranda is more commonly used as a girl name.
Miranda is currently ranked #622 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Miranda has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-er-AND-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Miranda include Mandy, Randa, Mira, Randy, and Miri. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Miranda include Mira, Miracle, Miraya, Mirabel, Mirabelle . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.