Maira
Fact sheet
- Name
- Maira
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The female first name Maira means gift from God or the fruitful one. The name is considered a variant of Maire, which is an Irish or Gaelic form.
What does the name Maira mean?
The female first name Maira means gift from God or the fruitful one. The name is considered a variant of Maire, which is an Irish or Gaelic form of Maria - there are records of this in East Frisia and Latvia. The meaning is derived from the ancient Hebrew words rym for 'to give' or myr for 'fruitful'. However, the origin of the name has not yet been fully clarified. In Greek mythology, the name refers to the daughter of the god Erasinos, the daughter of Proitos, who is known as a companion of Artemis, as well as the daughter of Atlas and wife of Tegeates. Additionally, Maira is the dog of Ikarios and an epithet of the moon goddess Selene. Translated from Greek, the name means 'the sparkling one' and 'the shimmering one'. Its origin lies in the ancient Greek marmairo (μαρμαίρω) meaning 'to flash', 'to sparkle', 'to glitter', and 'to shimmer'. In the variant Mayra, the name is also known in Spanish-speaking regions and is derived there as a Spanish short form for 'maravillosa', which translates to 'wonderful'. The name Maira is also used in various forms such as Maire, Meira, Mayra, Meyra, Mairaa, and Mairah and exists as a surname as well. Other meanings that are not secured: Maíra comes from the Tupi word 'mair', which means 'white foreigner' or 'blonde foreigner'. As a form of 'Meira', which in Hebrew means 'light' and can be broadly interpreted as 'sparkling', 'shimmering', or 'diamond'. According to English-language websites, Maira is a form of the Gaelic name 'Maire'. Hence, it carries the meaning 'Star of the Sea'. It means 'fate'. A form of Mira = 'the miracle'. From ancient Greek: 'The Moirai' were the three goddesses of fate in Greek mythology.
Where does the name Maira come from?
Etymology Maira is a female first name of ancient Hebrew origin with meanings such as 'fruitful' or 'gift from God' and others.
How do you pronounce Maira?
Sound & pronunciation of Maira: The name Maira is two syllables and has a flowing sound. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'Mai-ra' [ˈmaɪ̯ʁa], with the diphthong creating a lively movement. The second syllable sounds open and soft. The clear structure gives the name presence. Maira thus appears modern and feminine - melodic, harmonious, and friendly.
When is the name day of Maira?
The name days for Maira are January 1, September 12, and October 11.
Popularity
Maira is a very popular first name in Germany. Currently, it ranks 685th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 2013 at 363rd. In the last ten years, Maira has been given as a first name about 900 times, placing it 547th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 518th.
Nicknames & pet names
Mai / Maichen / Maila / Maily / MaiMai / Maire / Mairi
Similar first names
Famous people
- Maira Khan (Pakistani actress)
- Maira Rothe (model, radio and television presenter, and singer)
- Maira Vieira (Brazilian model)
Frequently asked questions about the name Maira
What is the origin of the name Maira?
Maira is a female first name of ancient Hebrew origin, which includes meanings such as 'fruitful' or 'gift from God'. There are also connections to ancient Greek words associated with 'sparkling' or 'shimmering'.
What does the name Maira mean?
The name Maira means among other things 'gift from God' or 'the fruitful one'. In Greek mythology, it is also associated with meanings such as 'the sparkling one' and 'the shimmering one'.
How popular is the name Maira?
The popularity of the name Maira varies by region. In some countries, especially in Spanish-speaking areas, the variant Mayra is common and is often seen as a short form for 'maravillosa', which means 'wonderful'.