Moira
Moira is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved (derived via Mary/Máire).
Origin and history
Moira is an anglicized form of the Irish name Máire, which is itself the Irish form of Mary. It has traditional roots in Celtic culture and has maintained steady, moderate usage in the United States over the decades. The name gained renewed public awareness in recent years due to popular media.
Popularity in the United States
7,941 babies in the United States have been named Moira since 1880. It ranks #1882 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1467.
States where it is most popular
- NY (20.7 %)
- CA (15 %)
- IL (11.2 %)
- PA (11 %)
- MA (9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 11 |
| 1920-1930 | 69 |
| 1930-1940 | 151 |
| 1940-1950 | 256 |
| 1950-1960 | 881 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,199 |
| 1970-1980 | 679 |
| 1980-1990 | 654 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,010 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,215 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,175 |
| 2020-2029 | 641 |
Famous people named Moira
- Moira Shearer: Ballet Dancer, Actress
- Moira Kelly: Actress
Nicknames
Moi
Fun facts
- Moira originated as an Anglicization of Máire, the Irish Gaelic variant of Mary.
- The name saw a resurgence in recognition due to the character Moira Rose on the acclaimed television show Schitt's Creek.