Declining since 1992, #2,751 for girls today.
Popularity of Maira since 1944
Babies named Maira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 64 |
| 1960s | 168 |
| 1970s | 384 |
| 1980s | 1,638 |
| 1990s | 2,141 |
| 2000s | 921 |
| 2010s | 649 |
| 2020s | 371 |
Meaning & origin
Maira has been in use since at least 1944, but it remains a relatively uncommon choice in the United States. Its popularity peaked in 1992, and since then it has been on a gradual downward trend. In 2025, the name ranked #2751, with only about 1 in 25,924 newborns receiving it. The states where Maira is most frequently given are New York, Florida, and Texas, reflecting its appeal in communities with Hispanic and Arabic influences. Despite its rarity, Maira offers a multicultural appeal with roots in multiple language families, making it a distinctive yet familiar option.
Maira is a name with several possible derivations. In Arabic, it may be a variant of Mayra, meaning 'swift' or 'quick.' In Hebrew, it could be a form of Mara, meaning 'bitter.' In Spanish and Portuguese, it is often considered a variant of Maya or a short form of names like Maria. The name has been used in various cultures, notably in Spanish-speaking countries and in the Arab world.
Where Maira 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.
“Maira” around the world
Where Maira lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
75
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mai, Mair
Sibling names for Maira
Names that share Maira's style, for a brother or sister.
