Miracle

Meaning of Miracle

Miracle—pronounced MIR-uh-kuhl—traces its shimmering lineage to the Latin miraculum, “a wonder to behold,” and, true to form, the name tends to conjure images of star-strewn skies, answered prayers, and the gentle astonishment that trails any newborn’s first cry. Popularized in African-American churches during the late 20th century and propelled into broader use by gospel music, televangelists, and that perennial staple, the Hallmark holiday movie, Miracle has risen methodically from statistical obscurity in the 1960s to a comfortable berth inside the U.S. Top 400 since 2016—a trajectory that suggests parents are increasingly willing to wear their faith (or at least their optimism) on the birth certificate. While its overt spiritual message is unmistakable, the name also carries a secular sparkle, evoking scientific breakthroughs and serendipitous discoveries; after all, one person’s divine intervention is another’s fortunate lab result. The dry-wit caveat, of course, is that no name—however celestial—guarantees that your child will sleep through the night, but Miracle does provide a daily reminder that a little wonder never hurts.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as MIR-uh-kuhl (/ˈmɪrəkəl/)

British English

• Pronunced as MIR-uh-kuhl (/ˈmɪrəkl̩/)

• Mila
• Mira
• Miriam
• Mariah
• Mirabelle
• Miranda
• Melody