Maguire Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: muh-GWY-er //məˈɡwaɪər//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: son of the servant of God; Gaelic: descendant of Mag Uidhir
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Maguire is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Uidhir," which translates to "son of Odhar." The root "Odhar" means "dun" or "pale," referring to a person with a light or pale complexion. The surname is associated with the ancient Gaelic nobility of Connacht, particularly the region of Fermanagh in Ireland.
The transition of the name into English occurred during the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, where many Gaelic names were anglicized, leading to the adoption of the form "Maguire." Historically, the Maguire family was prominent in Irish history, with notable figures such as Hugh Maguire, who was a chief of Fermanagh in the late 16th century. The family played a significant role during the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) against English rule in Ireland.
The name is also linked to the Gaelic nobility's resistance against English colonization, which has been a significant theme in Irish history. The surname appears in various historical texts, including the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century.
Culturally, the name Maguire carries connotations of heritage and resilience, reflecting the enduring legacy of the Gaelic nobility. It has been associated with various Irish legends and folklore, symbolizing strength and leadership.
The diminutive form "Maguire" has also been used in various contexts, often signifying a connection to Irish identity. The name's historical significance and its ties to Irish culture contribute to its lasting resonance within the context of Irish heritage.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maguire, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Maguire. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Maguire was first seen in the United States in 1997.
Maguire has ranked as high as #1229 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Maguire has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Maguire is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Maguire was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Maguire (2000)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Maguire.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2007 | 32 |
| 2006 | 36 |
| 2005 | 39 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2001 | 41 |
| 2000 | 54 |
| 1999 | 27 |
| 1998 | 23 |
| 1997 | 6 |