The name literally translates to “admirable” or “wondrous,” a meaning derived from its Latin roots. It is a name that commands respect without demanding attention.
Verdict: Miranda is an excellent choice for 2025. It offers parents a “sweet spot” name: everyone knows how to spell and pronounce it, yet your daughter will likely be the only Miranda in her kindergarten class. It is the perfect antidote to the current trend of fleeting, vowel-heavy names, offering timeless structure and beauty.
Miranda Overview
- Meaning: Miranda means “wondrous” or “admirable.”
- Gender: Miranda is a female name.
- Origin: Miranda derives from Latin but was coined in England.
- Pronunciation: “Mih-RAN-duh”
- Popularity: It is a recognizable classic that is currently distinct and rare.
- Nicknames: Mira, Randy, Andy, Mimi, Midge.
- Variations: Miralda, Myranda, Marella.
- Namesakes: Miranda Lambert, Miranda Kerr, Miranda Richardson.
What Does Miranda Mean?
Miranda means “wonderful,” “wondrous,” or “to be admired.”
Going deeper into the etymology, the name is derived from the Latin word mirandus, which is the gerundive of the verb miror (to wonder at). In Latin grammar, a gerundive expresses necessity or worthiness. Therefore, Miranda doesn’t just mean “wonderful” in a passive sense; it grammatically translates to “she who must be admired” or “she who is worthy of admiration.”
It shares the same root as common English words like “miracle” and “mirror,” suggesting a name filled with reflection, beauty, and awe.
Where Does the Name Miranda Come From?
While Miranda is a name that derives from Latin roots, its usage as a given name is a literary invention.
The name was created by William Shakespeare for his 1611 play, The Tempest. In the play, Miranda is the daughter of the magician Prospero. Raised on an isolated island, she is innocent and awestruck by the world, famously delivering the line, “O brave new world, that has such people in’t!” Shakespeare likely chose the name specifically for its etymology, as the character Ferdinand constantly “admires” her (1).
Following Shakespeare, the name remained rare until the 20th century. It did not appear in common usage in England until the 19th century and eventually crossed the pond to become a staple in American nomenclature.
How Popular is the Name Miranda?
Miranda is currently considered a “modern vintage” choice, a name that everyone recognizes but few are currently using.
The name experienced a meteoric rise in the United States during the 1980s and peaked in the mid-1990s. During that decade, it was a Top 100 staple, likely bolstered by the general trend of “A” ending names like Amanda and Samantha.
However, SSA data shows a steady cooling off period. It has left the Top 500, making it a rare gem for babies born in 2025 (2). This creates a unique opportunity for parents: you get the familiarity of a classic name without the worry of there being three other Mirandas on the playground.
How Do I Pronounce Miranda?
The standard pronunciation is Mih-RAN-duh.
The emphasis falls firmly on the second syllable. The first syllable is a soft “Mih” (rhyming with “kit”), and the final syllable is a schwa sound “duh.”
Is Miranda a Boy or Girl Name?
Miranda is almost exclusively used as a girl’s name.
Because it was coined by Shakespeare specifically for a female character, and because the “a” ending in Latin denotes the feminine grammatical gender, it has never successfully crossed over into unisex territory.
However, parents looking for a similar sound for a boy might consider the surname-style Duran or the Latin classic Maximilian.
Variations of Miranda
While Miranda is spelled consistently across English, Spanish, and Italian cultures, there are a few variations and relatives to the name:
- Myranda: An Americanized spelling variation popular in the 1990s.
- Mireille: A beautiful French variation derived from the same root miror.
- Miralda: A rarer, vintage form.
- Marinda: An inversion of the vowels sometimes seen in older census records.
- Mirra: A shortened Eastern European variation.
Nicknames for Miranda
One of the name’s greatest strengths is its versatility in nicknames. It offers options for every personality type.
- Mira: Elegant and celestial (Mira means “peace” or “ocean” in other languages).
- Miri: A sweet, spunky option often used in the UK.
- Randy: A tomboyish, retro nickname.
- Mandy: A classic 90s throw-back.
- Indy: A creative, modern nickname derived from the “randa” ending.
- Andie: A spirited, gender-neutral option.
- Midge: A vintage “grandma-chic” nickname similar to Madge.
Names Similar to Miranda
If you love the vibe of Miranda but aren’t quite ready to commit, consider these names that share its literary weight or acoustic flow:
- Matilda: Like Miranda, this is a strong, trisyllabic name with vintage charm and a “smart girl” reputation.
- Cassandra: Shares the rhythm and the “-anda” ending but brings a Greek mythological twist.
- Vanessa: Another name invented by a writer (Jonathan Swift) that became a classic.
- Cordelia: A fellow Shakespearean heroine name that feels sophisticated and rare.
- Ramona: Shares the Latin flair and the strong “R” sound.
- Veronica: Offers the same consonant-heavy strength and classic feel.
- Sabrina: A poetic name with a similar 90s peak and timeless appeal.
- Fiona: Shares the ending “a” and the soft internal vowel sounds.
Middle Names for Miranda
Miranda is a rhythmic, three-syllable name (3-4 depending on dialect). It pairs beautifully with short, punchy middle names or soft, vowel-heavy classics.
Classic & Royal
These pairings emphasize the timeless, elegant nature of the name.
Nature & Boho
Soften the strong consonants of Miranda with these earthy choices.
Modern & Spunky
Give the name a contemporary twist with these energetic options.
Sibling Names for Miranda
Creating a sib-set for Miranda involves finding names that are traditional but not boring.
For a Brother
- Julian: Matches the Latin romance and softness of Miranda.
- Nathaniel: A distinguished, long classic that stands up well next to Miranda.
- Dominic: Shares the crisp consonants and Latin roots.
- Sebastian: A Shakespearean peer (from Twelfth Night) that feels perfectly matched.
- Gregory: A grounded, underused classic.
For a Sister
- Natalie: A similar era favorite that feels feminine and strong.
- Tabitha: Shares the “a” ending and the vintage, slightly quirky vibe.
- Gabrielle: Offers the same melodic flow and elegance.
- Lydia: A literary classic (Austen) that feels distinct and smart.
- Camilla: Shares the double-consonant structure and Latin heritage.
Famous People Named Miranda
- Miranda Lambert: A Grammy Award-winning American country music star known for her fiery songwriting.
- Miranda Kerr: An Australian supermodel and businesswoman, famously a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
- Miranda Richardson: An acclaimed English actress known for her roles in the Harry Potter franchise and Sleepy Hollow.
- Miranda Cosgrove: American actress and singer who defined a generation of Nickelodeon TV with iCarly.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: While a surname in this case, the creator of Hamilton has made the name synonymous with genius and creativity.
Miranda in Pop Culture
- Miranda Priestly: The formidable, high-fashion editor-in-chief in the film and novel The Devil Wears Prada.
- Miranda Hobbes: The cynical, intelligent lawyer in the iconic series Sex and the City, arguably the character who popularized the name for a generation of women.
- Miranda Bailey: The tough-but-fair Chief of Surgery on the long-running drama Grey’s Anatomy.
- Princess Miranda: A character in the animated series Sofia the First.
FAQs About the Name Miranda
Is Miranda a Unique Name?
Yes, in the context of 2025, Miranda is unique. While it is a “known” name, it has dropped significantly in rankings. Choosing it today ensures your child has a name that everyone recognizes but that isn’t shared by five other children in their class.
Is Miranda a Biblical Name?
Miranda is not a biblical name. It was invented for theatre in the 17th century. However, because of its Latin meaning “to be admired,” it was adopted by some religious writers in Ecclesiastical Latin to describe religious mysteries, giving it a spiritual adjacency.
Can Miranda Be a Surname?
Yes. Miranda is a very common surname of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Sephardic Jewish origin. It often denoted a person who came from a place named Miranda (meaning “lookout” or “viewpoint”) in the Iberian peninsula.
What is the “Miranda Rights” connection?
The name is associated with the “Miranda warning” (the right to remain silent) in the US legal system. This stems from the 1966 Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, named after the defendant Ernesto Miranda. While this is a strong association in law, the name’s literary and feminine history generally supersedes this legal connection for a baby girl.
Is Miranda a Spanish Name?
While the given name Miranda was popularized by English literature, it fits perfectly into Spanish naming conventions due to its Latin roots. It is easily pronounced by Spanish speakers and is a common surname in Spanish-speaking countries, making it a distinct but culturally compatible choice for bilingual families.
