Myranda is a name of Norwegian origin, meaning "great sea warrior." It is derived from the Old Norse name "Myrmand," which is composed of two elements: "myr," meaning "sea," and "mand," meaning "man" or "warrior." The name Myranda has been used as both a given name and a surname throughout history, particularly in Scandinavia.
The name Myranda first appeared in Norway during the Middle Ages. It was often given to boys at that time due to its masculine root. However, over time, the name began to be used for girls as well, likely influenced by the increasing popularity of names ending with the "-anda" sound, such as Miranda and Andrea.
In literature, one notable appearance of the name Myranda is in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy series "The Lord of the Rings." In this tale, Myranda is a character who plays a significant role in the story's events. This portrayal may have contributed to the name's increased visibility and recognition in English-speaking countries.
Overall, Myranda is a unique and powerful name with strong ties to Norwegian history and culture. Its meaning, "great sea warrior," evokes images of strength, courage, and adventure on the high seas. Despite its historical usage for both boys and girls, today Myranda is more commonly used as a female name in many parts of the world.
The name Myranda has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Starting with only 6 births in 1968, the number of babies named Myranda began to increase steadily throughout the late 70s and early 80s, peaking at 350 births in 1995.
After this peak, there was a gradual decline in the popularity of the name. Between 1995 and 2000, the number of babies named Myranda decreased by about half, from 350 to 185 births. This downward trend continued over the next decade, with only 67 births recorded in 2009.
Despite this decline, there were still a notable number of babies named Myranda born each year until very recently. However, in recent years, the popularity of the name has fallen significantly, with only 5 births recorded in 2019 and 7 births in 2020.
In total, over the span of these statistics (from 1968 to 2020), there have been 4644 babies named Myranda born in the United States. This shows that while the name has seen significant fluctuations in popularity, it remains a recognizable and unique choice for parents.