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Maira

Girl Name #2,752 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A melodic Mary variant beloved from Dublin to Sao Paulo

Spanish Irish Portuguese Latin American
Elegant Traditional Gentle Classic

Meaning & Origin

"beloved, wished-for child"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
"bitter, sea of bitterness"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

The Story of Maira

Maira is a variant form of Mary, Mara, or Moira, all ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew name Miriam. The root may derive from the Hebrew mar meaning bitter or from the Egyptian Mry meaning beloved. Maira is particularly common in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, representing a softer variant of the Virgin Mary name.

Maira is a steady favorite in Latin American countries, especially Brazil, where it blends the familiar Mara and Maria tradition with a distinctively melodic quality. In Ireland, it is used as a variant of Moira, the Irish form of Mary.

As a variant of Mary, Maira carries profound significance in Catholic and Christian traditions worldwide. In Brazil, Maira is also associated with an indigenous Tupi mythological figure, adding a fascinating dual heritage.

Fun Facts

  • Mary and its variants are among the most common female names in the Christian world
  • In Brazil, Maira is also associated with an indigenous Tupi mythological figure
  • The name Miriam, from which Mary derives, appears in the Bible as the name of Moses's sister

Maira in Other Languages

Irish Maire
Hebrew Miryam
Spanish Maira
Portuguese Maira

Famous People Named Maira

M

Maira Kalman

Artist

1949

Celebrated Israeli-American illustrator and author known for whimsical, literary artwork

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,752
Total SSA Count
62
Cultural Origins
Spanish Irish Portuguese Latin American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Mai

Pairs Well With

Maira Sofia Maira Elena Maira Isabel Maira Grace Maira Victoria

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Maira is also used as a boy name, ranked #21778.

View Maira as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Maira

What does the name Maira mean?
"beloved, wished-for child" (from Hebrew). "bitter, sea of bitterness" (from Hebrew). Maira is a variant form of Mary, Mara, or Moira, all ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew name Miriam. The root may derive from the Hebrew mar meaning bitter or from the Egyptian Mry meaning beloved. Maira is particularly common in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, representing a softer variant of the Virgin Mary name.
What is the origin of the name Maira?
Maira has Hebrew, Spanish, Irish, Portuguese, and Latin American origins. In Hebrew, it means "beloved, wished-for child". In Hebrew, it means "bitter, sea of bitterness".
Is Maira a boy or girl name?
Maira is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2752. As a boy name, it is ranked #21778. Maira is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Maira?
Maira is currently ranked #2752 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maira?
Common nicknames for Maira include Mai.
What are good middle names for Maira?
Popular middle name pairings include Maira Sofia, Maira Elena, Maira Isabel, Maira Grace, and Maira Victoria.
What are good sibling names for Maira?
Names that pair well with Maira as siblings include Lucia, Camila, Valentina, Diego, and Mateo.
How many syllables does Maira have?
Maira has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maira a common or rare name?
Maira is an uncommon name, ranked #2752 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Maira

Maira is a girl name with Spanish, Irish, Portuguese, and Latin American origins . The name means "beloved, wished-for child" in Hebrew .

Is Maira a boy or girl name? Maira is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,752 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #21,778. Maira is more commonly used as a girl name.

Maira is currently ranked #2,752 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Maira has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Maira include Mai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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