Miriam is a name that is used in several different cultures and languages, and as a result, its popularity varies widely depending on the region.

In Judaism, Miriam is a significant figure who is celebrated during the holiday of Passover. According to the biblical story, Miriam played an important role in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and is remembered for leading the women in song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea. Miriam Makeba was a South African singer and activist who was known as "Mama Africa." She gained international fame in the 1960s for her music, which often addressed social and political issues. She was also a prominent anti-apartheid activist and was exiled from South Africa for many years.

Miriam Margolyes is a British actress who has appeared in several popular films and television shows over the course of her career. She is known for her roles in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "The Age of Innocence," among others. Miriam Toews is a Canadian author who has written several highly acclaimed novels, including "A Complicated Kindness" and "All My Puny Sorrows." Her work has been shortlisted for several major literary awards, and she has won several awards for her writing.