Meara Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEER-uh //ˈmɪərə//
Origin: Irish; Hebrew
Meaning: Irish: 'sea' or 'ocean'; Hebrew: 'bitter'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meara has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the word "meara," which translates to "sea" or "ocean." This etymology reflects a connection to nature and the landscape of Ireland, where the sea has historically played a significant role in the culture and livelihood of its people. The name's journey into English likely occurred through the influence of Irish immigrants and the broader cultural exchanges between Ireland and England, particularly from the 19th century onwards when Irish names began to be more recognized in English-speaking contexts.
Historically, the name Meara does not have prominent figures or events directly associated with it, unlike some other names that are linked to saints or monarchs. However, the connection to the sea evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, resonating with the maritime history of Ireland.
The name may also be associated with various local legends and folklore that celebrate the sea, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Irish heritage. Culturally, names related to water often symbolize depth, fluidity, and change, which may contribute to the enduring appeal of Meara.
In Irish tradition, names that evoke natural elements are often cherished for their beauty and the meanings they carry. While diminutive forms or variations of Meara may exist, the name itself stands as a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland, embodying a connection to the natural world that has been celebrated throughout history.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meara, 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 Meara. 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 Meara was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Meara has ranked as high as #1322 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Meara has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meara 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 Meara was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meara (2019)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
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 Meara.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2018 | 64 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2015 | 72 |
| 2014 | 66 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2012 | 53 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2007 | 47 |
| 2006 | 45 |
| 2005 | 50 |
| 2004 | 41 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2002 | 33 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 1999 | 23 |
| 1998 | 29 |
| 1997 | 28 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1993 | 13 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1991 | 11 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1977 | 7 |
| 1973 | 6 |