Rising since 2003, #4,661 for girls today.
Popularity of Lira since 1976
Babies named Lira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 8 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 43 |
| 2010s | 163 |
| 2020s | 162 |
Meaning & origin
Lira entered U.S. baby name records in 1976, a late arrival that defies easy categorization. After decades of minimal use, the name began a steady ascent in 2003, accelerating to its peak rank in 2021. Its 2025 ranking of 4,661 with an occurrence rate of 1 in 55,423 reflects a growing but still uncommon choice. The rise fits a broader pattern of short, vowel-ending names favored for their melodic quality, yet Lira's etymology remains obscure, adding to its enigmatic appeal.
Lira is a name that emerged in the late 20th century, possibly as a shortened form of names like Leora (meaning 'light' in Hebrew) or Liora ('my light'). It may also draw from the Italian word 'lira', meaning 'lyre', a musical instrument. The name has been in use in the United States since 1976, with a notable rise in popularity since 2003.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Li, Lee
Sibling names for Lira
Names that share Lira's style, for a brother or sister.
