Declining since 1997, #1,631 for girls today.
Popularity of Maura since 1903
Babies named Maura per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 43 |
| 1920s | 125 |
| 1930s | 212 |
| 1940s | 532 |
| 1950s | 2,069 |
| 1960s | 3,651 |
| 1970s | 2,176 |
| 1980s | 2,693 |
| 1990s | 3,263 |
| 2000s | 2,903 |
| 2010s | 1,618 |
| 2020s | 675 |
Meaning & origin
Maura has been in use in the United States since at least 1903, when it was first recorded. Its popularity peaked in 1964, when it ranked among the top 500 names. Since 1997, its usage has been steadily declining; in 2025, it ranked 1631, with approximately 1 in 12,656 girls receiving the name. The name has been most common in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri, reflecting its strong Irish-American heritage. Maura remains a recognizable yet uncommon choice, often favored by families with Irish roots.
Maura is the feminine form of the Latin name Maurus, which referred to a person from Mauritania or of Moorish descent, often meaning 'dark-skinned'. In Ireland, Maura was used as an anglicized form of the Irish name Máire, the Irish equivalent of Mary. The name saw a rise in popularity in the mid-20th century, peaking in 1964.
Where Maura 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mo, Mimi
Sibling names for Maura
Names that share Maura's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Bridget, Catherine, Teresa, Moira, Sheila, Marla, Bryna, Coreen, Corrin, Diedra, Keena, Seana, Shaunna, Sheilah, Loura, Meegan, Meighan, Taura, Erinne, Karenna, Kerina, Shena, Shevon, Carrah, Kathleena, Shevonne
Brothers: Patrick, Sean, Michael, James, Kevin, Channon, Mannix, Shandon, Deavin
Names like Maura
Names whose popularity has moved with Maura's over the last 50 years.
