Meara

Meaning & origin

Meara is an Irish-inspired name that has seen consistent but limited use in the United States since it first appeared on record in 1973. While it never broke into the top 1,000, it experienced a modest rise in the 2010s, peaking in popularity in 2015. Since 2014, however, its usage has been gradually declining, as indicated by a falling trajectory. In 2025, the name ranked 3,067th, with approximately 1 in 30,326 newborn girls receiving it. Geographically, Meara has seen the most use in Washington and California, likely reflecting regional interest in distinctive Irish names. Its etymology remains uncertain, but it is generally connected to the Irish surname Ó Meadhra, implying a meaning related to joy or festivity. As a spin-off from Irish surname usage, Meara fits a broader trend of adopting Gaelic family names as given names. The name offers a less common alternative to similar-sounding names like Maura or Mara.

Meara likely derives from the Irish surname Ó Meadhra, meaning 'descendant of Meadhair,' where Meadhair is a personal name thought to mean 'happy' or 'merry.' It began to be used as a given name in the United States in the 1970s, coinciding with a trend toward Irish-inspired names. Its usage has remained modest, with a peak in popularity in 2015.