Moira Girl

Popularity: #855 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MOY-rah //ˈmɔɪrə//

Origin: Irish; Greek

Meaning: Irish: 'star of the sea'; Greek: 'bitter'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Moira has its roots in the ancient Greek word "moira," which translates to "fate" or "destiny." This term is derived from the Greek verb "merizein," meaning "to divide," and it is closely associated with the concept of the Fates in Greek mythology, who were believed to control the destinies of both gods and mortals. The name entered the English language through various adaptations and influences, particularly during the periods of Greek and Latin scholarship in the Renaissance, when classical names gained renewed interest in Europe.

Historically, the name Moira has been linked to several notable figures and cultural references. In the early Christian tradition, Saint Moira, a lesser-known saint, is sometimes associated with the name, although detailed records are scarce.

The name also appears in various literary works, particularly in Irish folklore, where it is often connected to themes of fate and destiny, reflecting its etymological roots. The name's presence in literature and religious texts has contributed to its enduring significance across cultures.

In Irish culture, Moira is often considered a variant of the name Mary, which itself has deep biblical roots, being derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. This connection enhances the name's cultural resonance, as Mary is a prominent figure in Christianity, symbolizing purity and motherhood.

The name Moira, therefore, carries with it a blend of mythological and religious significance, embodying themes of fate, destiny, and divine influence. This multifaceted heritage has allowed the name to maintain a presence in various cultural narratives throughout history.

Famous people named Moira

In this section, you will find notable people named Moira. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Moira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Moira who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Moira Kelly is an actress best known for The Cutting Edge, One Tree Hill, and Chaplin.

Moira Rose is a fictional character portrayed by Catherine O'Hara in the television series Schitt's Creek.

Fictional characters named Moira

The following list of fictional characters named Moira is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Moira Rose is a fictional character from the TV series Schitt's Creek. She is a former soap opera star who navigates life in a small town after her family's wealth is lost.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Moira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MaeveMollyMiraMaraMinaMabel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Moira. 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.

NoraClaraCoraLioraZoraSoraTaraLyra

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Moira was first seen in the United States in 1913.

Moira has ranked as high as #1495 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

In the past 5 years the name Moira has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Moira 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 Moira 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 Moira.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 93 93
2024 105 105
2023 114 114
2022 94 94
2021 125 125
2020 110 110
2019 115 115
2018 133 133
2017 132 132
2016 118 118
2015 131 131
2014 126 126
2013 103 103
2012 115 115
2011 105 105
2010 97 97
2009 109 109
2008 122 122
2007 112 112
2006 133 133
2005 128 128
2004 124 124
2003 132 132
2002 116 116
2001 111 111
2000 128 128
1999 131 131
1998 123 123
1997 133 133
1996 110 110
1995 124 124
1994 91 91
1993 82 82
1992 75 75
1991 79 79
1990 62 62
1989 51 51
1988 73 73
1987 60 60
1986 59 59
1985 58 58
1984 59 59
1983 71 71
1982 80 80
1981 73 73
1980 70 70
1979 69 69
1978 61 61
1977 70 70
1976 65 65
1975 54 54
1974 59 59
1973 67 67
1972 74 74
1971 86 86
1970 74 74
1969 94 94
1968 111 111
1967 97 97
1966 110 110
1965 143 143
1964 143 143
1963 144 144
1962 120 120
1961 113 113
1960 124 124
1959 105 105
1958 126 126
1957 108 108
1956 92 92
1955 102 102
1954 91 91
1953 80 80
1952 73 73
1951 66 66
1950 38 38
1949 44 44
1948 41 41
1947 32 32
1946 20 20
1945 15 15
1944 18 18
1943 17 17
1942 29 29
1941 20 20
1940 20 20
1939 22 22
1938 12 12
1937 24 24
1936 14 14
1935 19 19
1934 19 19
1933 9 9
1932 6 6
1931 12 12
1930 14 14
1929 11 11
1928 8 8
1927 8 8
1926 8 8
1925 8 8
1924 5 5
1923 6 6
1922 7 7
1921 8 8
1916 6 6
1913 5 5

Top States for Moira (2024)

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
IL 8
18%
OH 7
16%
TX 7
16%
WA 6
14%
CA 6
14%
PA 5
11%
IN 5
11%