Miranda Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity, and Significance

Miranda Name Meaning
If you’re considering naming your baby girl Miranda, you might be curious about the name’s meaning and origin. Miranda is a Latin name that means “admirable” or “wonderful.” It’s derived from the Latin word “mirandus,” which means “admirable” or “worthy of admiration.”
The name Miranda was first popularized by William Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” which features a character named Miranda who is the daughter of the play’s protagonist, Prospero. In the play, Miranda is portrayed as a beautiful and intelligent young woman who is admired by all who meet her.
The name Miranda has been in use since the 17th century and has remained popular ever since. It reached its peak in popularity in the 1990s but has remained a popular choice for baby girls.
If you’re looking for a nickname for your little Miranda, you might consider Randa or Mira. Randa is a shortened version of Miranda, while Mira is a shortened version of the name’s Latin root word “mirandus.”
Overall, Miranda is a beautiful and timeless name with a strong meaning that is sure to inspire admiration and respect.
Origin and Popularity
Miranda is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word “mirandus,” which means “admirable” or “wonderful.” The name was popularized by William Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” where Miranda is the name of the protagonist. The name has been used in English and Dutch-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Miranda’s popularity peaked in the 1990s in the United States, where it was among the 100 most popular names for girls. It also reached its peak in usage in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Sweden during the same period. However, its popularity has declined since then, although it remains a recommended choice for baby girls.
According to BabyCenter user data, Miranda is currently ranked #766 in popularity for baby girls in 2023, a drop of 118 from the previous year. The Social Security Administration’s data also shows a decline in popularity, with fewer babies being named Miranda in recent years.
In Mexico, Miranda is a popular surname, but it is not as commonly used as a first name. However, the name has gained popularity in recent years, with some parents choosing it for its literary and historical associations.
Overall, Miranda is a name with a rich history and a timeless quality that makes it a great choice for parents looking for a classic yet unique name for their baby girl.
Literary References
If you’re a fan of literature, you may recognize the name Miranda from William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. In the play, Miranda is the daughter of the main character, Prospero, and is the only female character to appear on stage. Shakespeare invented the name Miranda for this character, and it is said to mean “worthy of admiration” in Latin.
Miranda’s character in The Tempest is portrayed as a young and innocent heroine who is fascinated by the world around her. She is also fiercely loyal to her father and is willing to do whatever it takes to help him achieve his goals. The character of Miranda has become a popular literary reference, and the name has been used in various works of fiction and poetry over the years.
In addition to its use in literature, the name Miranda is also associated with the planet Uranus. Miranda is one of the five major moons of Uranus and was named after the character from The Tempest. The name was chosen because of Miranda’s innocent and pure nature, which was seen as a reflection of the moon’s surface.
Overall, the name Miranda has a rich literary history and has been used in various works of fiction and poetry over the years. Whether you’re a fan of Shakespeare or simply appreciate the beauty of the name, Miranda is a name that is sure to remain popular for many years to come.
Famous People Named Miranda
Miranda is a name that has been used by many famous people across different fields. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Miranda Richardson
Miranda Richardson is an English actress who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows. She is best known for her roles in “The Crying Game,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Richardson has won several awards for her acting, including two Golden Globe Awards.
Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart is an English comedian, actress, and writer. She is best known for her self-titled sitcom “Miranda,” which aired from 2009 to 2015. Hart has also appeared in several films, including “Spy” and “Emma.”
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert is an American country singer and songwriter. She has released several albums, many of which have been certified platinum. Lambert has won numerous awards for her music, including several Grammy Awards.
Miranda Bailey
Miranda Bailey is a fictional character on the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” She is a surgeon and the chief of surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Bailey is played by actress Chandra Wilson.
Miranda Seymour
Miranda Seymour is an English writer and historian. She has written several biographies, including ones on Mary Shelley and Robert Graves. Seymour has also written novels and memoirs.
Miranda Cosgrove
Miranda Cosgrove is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Carly Shay on the Nickelodeon TV show “iCarly.” Cosgrove has also appeared in several films, including “Despicable Me” and “School of Rock.”
Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr is an Australian model. She has modeled for several high-profile brands, including Victoria’s Secret and Maybelline. Kerr has also worked as a spokesperson for various charities and causes.
Overall, Miranda is a name that has been used by many successful and talented individuals in various fields. Whether it’s acting, music, or writing, there are many notable Mirandas who have made their mark in their respective industries.
Variations and Similar Names
Miranda is a beautiful name that derives from Latin and means “wondrous” or “admirable.” It has been a popular name for baby girls, and there are several variations and similar names that you may want to consider for your little one.
Some variations of the name Miranda include:
- Meranda
- Mira
- Miran
- Mirandah
- Mirelle
- Mirella
- Mirra
- Mirranda
- Myra
- Myranda
- Myrella
- Myrilla
- Myrrilla
- Randa
- Randi
- Randie
- Randy
If you are looking for similar names to Miranda, you may want to consider:
- Amanda: This name is also of Latin origin and means “lovable” or “worthy of love.”
- Isabella: This name is of Italian origin and means “God is my oath.”
- Olivia: This name is of Latin origin and means “olive tree.”
- Charlotte: This name is of French origin and means “free man.”
- Amelia: This name is of German origin and means “work.”
- Mia: This name is of Scandinavian origin and means “mine” or “bitter.”
If you are interested in related names to Miranda, you may want to consider:
- Mireya: This name is of Spanish origin and means “miraculous.”
- Marisol: This name is of Spanish origin and means “sea and sun.”
- Miriam: This name is of Hebrew origin and means “wished-for child.”
In conclusion, Miranda is a lovely name with several variations and similar names that you may want to consider. Whether you are looking for a name of Latin origin or a name with a similar meaning, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Miranda in Pop Culture
Miranda is a name that has been used in various forms of pop culture. From literature to television shows and movies, the name has been associated with different characters. Here are some examples of where the name Miranda has appeared in pop culture:
- In the Harry Potter series, Miranda Goshawk is the author of the Standard Book of Spells.
- In Sex and the City, Miranda Hobbes is one of the main characters.
- In The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestly is the powerful and demanding editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine.
- In As Told by Ginger, Miranda Killgallen is one of the main characters and Ginger’s best friend.
- In Fleetwood Mac’s song “Rhiannon,” the lyrics include the line “All your life
Miranda in Astronomy and Science
Miranda is not only a popular name for humans, but also for celestial bodies. In astronomy and science, Miranda is the name of one of Uranus’ moons. It is the smallest and innermost of Uranus’s five round satellites, with a diameter of about 500 kilometers. Miranda was discovered by Gerard Kuiper in 1948 at McDonald Observatory in Texas and named after Miranda from William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.
Miranda’s surface is unique and fascinating, with features that are unlike any other moon in our solar system. Like Frankenstein’s monster, Miranda looks like it was pieced together from parts that didn’t quite merge properly. It has a chaotic terrain with deep canyons, valleys, and ridges that are up to 20 kilometers high. This surface suggests that Miranda experienced a violent past with tectonic activity, which is surprising given its small size.
The U.S. Voyager 2 spacecraft had the opportunity to study Miranda more closely than any other Uranian moon during its flyby of Uranus in 1986. The data collected by Voyager 2 revealed that Miranda’s surface is composed of water ice, rock, and possibly organic compounds. Scientists believe that Miranda’s unique surface features were formed by a combination of tidal heating and past collisions with other objects in space.
In popular culture, Miranda has made appearances in various science fiction works. In Star Trek, Miranda-class starships are a type of starship used by Starfleet. In the anime series D.Gray-man, Miranda Lotto is a character who possesses the power to manipulate time. Miranda is also the name of a band and a song by the English rock band Fleetwood Mac.
Overall, Miranda’s unique surface features and its place in popular culture make it an interesting subject in astronomy and science.