Iona vs Maira

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Iona

Girl #2,771 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"island (of Saint Columba)"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic place name

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish Welsh British Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,771
Total SSA Count
61
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Io, Ona

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Iona →

Maira

Girl #2,752 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, wished-for child"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Spanish Irish Portuguese Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,752
Total SSA Count
62
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mai

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maira →

Popularity Comparison

Iona Rank #2,771
Maira Rank #2,752

Maira is more popular, ranked #2752 vs #2771 for Iona.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Iona ___

  • Iona Rose
  • Iona May
  • Iona Grace
  • Iona Jean
  • Iona Claire
  • Iona Maeve

Maira ___

  • Maira Sofia
  • Maira Elena
  • Maira Isabel
  • Maira Grace
  • Maira Victoria

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Iona

Isla Skye Rhona Ailsa Callum

If you choose Maira

Lucia Camila Valentina Diego Mateo

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iona or Maira more popular?

Maira is more popular, ranked #2752 compared to Iona at #2771 in the United States.

What do Iona and Maira mean?

Iona means "island (of Saint Columba)" (Scottish Gaelic place name origin). Maira means "beloved, wished-for child" (Hebrew origin).

Are Iona and Maira boy or girl names?

Iona is primarily a girl name. Maira is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Maira vs Iona Iona vs Rome Iona vs Zaylie Iona vs Audrianna Iona vs Melek
← Full profile: Iona ← Full profile: Maira Browse all baby names