Moira

Meaning & origin

Moira is a name with dual heritage: it is an Anglicized form of the Irish Máire (Mary), and also coincidentally shares its form with the Greek Moirai, goddesses of fate. First recorded in the U.S. in 1913, Moira peaked in popularity in 1965, ranking much higher then. However, in the most recent year (2025), it placed at rank 2036 with a usage rate of 1 in 17,282 girls. The name has maintained a steady but low profile in recent decades, with its strongest historical use concentrated in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Its trajectory is stable, neither reviving nor declining sharply, making it a distinctive but familiar choice. The Irish connection remains strong, and the name carries a sense of Celtic tradition without being overly common.

Moira is an Anglicized form of the Irish Máire, itself a Gaelic form of Mary. The name Mary has debated origins, possibly from Hebrew 'mar' meaning 'bitter' or Egyptian 'mry' meaning 'beloved'. In Irish, Máire has been used since medieval times. Moira also coincides with the Greek Moirai, the goddesses of fate, though this is a later convergence rather than a direct derivation.