Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Mairead
GirlIrish, Greek· “Irish form of Margaret; pearl”
- Meaning
- Irish form of Margaret; pearl
- Origin
- Irish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- muh-RAYD
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,317
- US babies 2025
- 33
- Best rank
- #2,467 (1997)
- Peak year
- 2002
Meaning and origin of Mairead
Mairead is an Irish and Greek name that means “Irish form of Margaret; pearl”.
Mairead is the Irish form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites, pearl. Margaret became popular in Ireland through Saint Margaret of Scotland and other medieval figures, and Mairéad is the Irish spelling with an accent that is usually dropped in English. It is said muh-RAYD in English, while Irish speakers often say MAH-rayd. The name is known through Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize for her work for peace in Northern Ireland. Maighread is another spelling.
Popularity over time
Mairead first appears in US Social Security records in 1967. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,467 in 1997, and the most babies received it in 2002, when 59 were named Mairead. In 2025, 33 babies were named Mairead, and it ranked #4,317 nationally. That is 38% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #11,414 in 1980, #3,049 in 2000, #4,155 in 2010, and #4,317 in 2025. Of the 1,402 US girls named Mairead since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 346 babies. Since 2010, 451 more have been named Mairead.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nevada, Rayana, Aisling, Angelle, and Mikenna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mairead ranked highest in Massachusetts and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #503 | 11 |
| New York | #1975 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mairead is usually pronounced muh-RAYD, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ad”.
Middle names for Mairead
A few middle names that flow with Mairead: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mairead
Similar names
Caitlyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“Irish form of Catherine” · Irish
#2,492
Caitlin Girl
KAYT-lihn
“Irish form of Catherine” · Irish
#2,333
Kathleen Girl
kath-LEEN
“Irish form of Catherine; meaning uncertain” · Irish
#1,156
Moira Girl
MOY-ruh
“Irish form of Mary; also Greek fate” · Irish
#2,047
Soledad Girl
soh-leh-DAHD
“solitude” · Spanish
#4,865
Breanna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine form of Brian” · Irish
#2,548
Crystal Girl
KRIHS-tuhl
“crystal, ice” · Greek
#1,145
Kailey Girl
KAY-lee
“modern spelling of Kayleigh” · American (modern coinage)
#1,420
Kiera Girl
KEER-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,097
Ciara Girl
see-EHR-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,408
Lexie Girl
LEHK-see
“short for Alexandra; defender” · Greek
#1,357
Shayla Girl
SHAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,793
Lists that include Mairead
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mairead mean?
Mairead is an Irish and Greek name that means “Irish form of Margaret; pearl”.
What is the origin of the name Mairead?
Mairead has Irish and Greek roots. Mairead is the Irish form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites, pearl.
Is Mairead a popular name?
Not especially. Mairead ranked #4,317 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mairead a boy or girl name?
Mairead is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mairead?
Mairead is usually pronounced muh-RAYD. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings