Rising since 1991, #435 for girls today.
Popularity of Lyra since 1893
Babies named Lyra per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 31 |
| 1920s | 43 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 20 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 39 |
| 1970s | 108 |
| 1980s | 114 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 760 |
| 2010s | 3,038 |
| 2020s | 3,815 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in U.S. data in 1893, Lyra spent most of the 20th century as a rarity. Since 1991, however, it has climbed steadily, reaching its peak rank of 435 in 2025 with 1 in 2,261 girls receiving the name. Lyra currently enjoys particular favor in Vermont, Oregon, and Massachusetts. Its astronomical and mythological associations give it a celestial, literary feel that has resonated with modern parents.
Lyra comes directly from Latin 'lyra,' borrowed from Greek 'λύρα' (lyra), meaning 'lyre' or 'harp.' In Greek mythology, the lyre was invented by Hermes and later associated with Orpheus. The constellation Lyra represents the lyre of Orpheus. As a given name, Lyra saw occasional use in the 19th century but gained broader popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, partly due to its astronomical associations and its use in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series (first published 1995).
Where Lyra is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lyra” around the world
Where Lyra lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Ireland
20
babies in 2025
New Zealand
32
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ly, Liri
Variants: Lira, Lyr
Sibling names for Lyra
Names that share Lyra's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Stella, Aurora, Nova, Luna, Elara, Calliope, Nyssa, Alara, Arwen, Brienne, Dejah, Evolet, Indya, Korra, Neysa, Zenaida, Zyla, Aela, Aelin, Aella, Alorah, Aloura, Alura, Aryia, Astraea, Azora, Cadance, Caira, Calysta, Cirilla, Cyra, Cyrena, Elanna, Elektra, Evanna, Ezmae, Gemini, Izora, Jadis, Kyna, Lunna, Odyssey, Vega, Vesper, Xandria, Xoe, Aelyn, Aleria, Alyra, Andromeda, Arria, Beyla, Cassiopeia, Clytie, Elyna, Enora, Erial, Fraya, Haidee, Ilea, Irisa, Iysis, Kaliope, Kassia, Kylia, Kyrra, Merryn, Neytiri, Prisma, Quorra, Reah, Sabriel, Starsha, Syanna, Syra, Yvaine, Zyrah, Karris, Aelita, Aften, Airess, Alira, Anyra, Areal, Areta, Ayrah, Caliope, Callisto, Cedra, Cortana, Ecko, Enyla, Eretria, Eryss, Esmi, Evoleht, Freyah, Illyria, Kayari, Kiora, Leeloo, Lunarae, Nebula, Nefeli, Nyrie, Olenna, Oriya, Priseis, Stiorra, Syren, Ziora
Brothers: Orion, Atlas, Phoenix, Cyrus, Leo, Ender, Jareth, Kruz, Omega, Zephyr, Arion, Aris, Atreyu, Bode, Kalel, Tyrus, Alastor, Altair, Aquarius, Arien, Atom, Avante, Balin, Bane, Cire, Cylis, Cylus, Elric, Eon, Erion, Garion, Kassius, Kree, Kyair, Olvin, Orian, Renly, Rigel, Roczen, Roran, Rylo, Sagan, Sirius, Strider, Theon, Tytan, Undra, Xion, Zarian, Zedrick, Zylen, Aeon, Arius, Astro, Corion, Drako, Escher, Jedi, Jorah, Jru, Kalix, Kaspian, Korvin, Kron, Kyzir, Machai, Marz, Merik, Negan, Raistlin, Syris, Thorin, Tryton, Tycho, Tyrian, Xayne, Xylo, Xylon, Zaylyn, Zyren, Auryn, Eryx, Helix, Jeriko, Kyros, Meric, Sorren, Aragorn, Arkyn, Arson, Calcifer, Caspen, Daemion, Draken, Eragon, Fenyx, Ikal, Isair, Jarris, Kenaz, Khoen, Korde, Koron, Kvion, Kyrion, Matrix, Oberyn, Orlander, Oryon, Quanta, Seyon, Syir, Voyd, Yosohn, Zeon, Zyrion, Zyron
