Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Meira
GirlHebrew· “light”
- Meaning
- light
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MEER-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,046
- US babies 2025
- 93
- Best rank
- #2,046 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Meira
Meira is a Hebrew name that means “light”.
Meira is the feminine form of Meir, a Hebrew name meaning one who shines or gives light. Rabbi Meir, one of the leading sages of the Mishnah, made the masculine form especially respected in Jewish tradition. Meira is used in Israel and among Jewish families elsewhere, and it sits in the same family of light names as Liora, Ora and Orly. It can be pronounced MEER-uh, following the English spelling, or may-EE-ruh, closer to Hebrew. Nicknames include Mira and Mei.
Popularity over time
Meira first appears in US Social Security records in 1973. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #2,046, and its highest count, 93 babies. Use has grown 76% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #9,869 in 1980, #4,621 in 2000, #3,289 in 2010, and #2,046 in 2025. Of the 1,657 US girls named Meira since records began, 35% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 433 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Maelee, Chany, Adelaida, Leonor, and Mayzie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Meira ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #650 | 12 |
| New York | #671 | 25 |
| Ohio | #1627 | 5 |
| California | #2222 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Meira is usually pronounced MEER-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Meira
A few middle names that flow with Meira: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Meira
Similar names
Zara Girl
ZAHR-uh
“radiant, or form of Sarah” · Arabic
#212
Mara Girl
MAHR-uh
“bitter” · Hebrew
#589
Dara Girl
DAR-uh
“several origins; oak (Irish)” · Irish
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Leora Girl
lee-OR-uh
“light for me” · Hebrew
#1,356
Debora Girl
DEHB-ur-uh
“variant of Deborah, bee” · Hebrew
#2,336
Liora Girl
lee-OR-uh
“my light” · Hebrew
#900
Ora Girl
OR-uh
“light (Hebrew) or pray (Latin)” · Hebrew
#3,760
Sara Girl
SEH-ruh
“princess” · Hebrew
#198
Kiera Girl
KEER-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,097
Ciara Girl
see-EHR-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,408
Ira Unisex
EYE-ruh
“watchful” · Hebrew
#822
Chiara Girl
KYAHR-uh
“bright, clear” · Italian
#1,066
Lists that include Meira
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Meira mean?
Meira is a Hebrew name that means “light”.
What is the origin of the name Meira?
Meira has Hebrew roots. Meira is the feminine form of Meir, a Hebrew name meaning one who shines or gives light.
Is Meira a popular name?
Not especially. Meira ranked #2,046 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Meira a boy or girl name?
Meira is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Meira?
Meira is usually pronounced MEER-uh. 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