"beloved, wished-for child"
Maira
A melodic Mary variant beloved from Dublin to Sao Paulo
Meaning & Origin
"bitter, sea of bitterness"
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
Famous People Named Maira
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Maira is also used as a boy name, ranked #21778.
View Maira as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maira
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Is Maira a boy or girl name?
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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.