Meara Girl

Popularity: #895 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

NoraClaraLilaTaraSienaMira

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.

KeiraMiraLyraZaraCoraTessaFionaSierra

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Meara was first seen in the United States in 1973.

Meara has ranked as high as #4394 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.

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.

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 Total Births Girl
2025 53 53
2024 34 34
2023 23 23
2022 39 39
2021 34 34
2020 36 36
2019 50 50
2018 64 64
2017 59 59
2016 52 52
2015 72 72
2014 66 66
2013 62 62
2012 53 53
2011 35 35
2010 27 27
2009 29 29
2008 39 39
2007 47 47
2006 45 45
2005 50 50
2004 41 41
2003 31 31
2002 33 33
2001 26 26
2000 35 35
1999 23 23
1998 29 29
1997 28 28
1996 17 17
1995 14 14
1994 13 13
1993 13 13
1992 14 14
1991 11 11
1990 11 11
1989 12 12
1988 11 11
1987 9 9
1986 8 8
1985 16 16
1984 8 8
1983 8 8
1982 19 19
1981 11 11
1980 8 8
1979 5 5
1977 7 7
1973 6 6

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%