Moira Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationMOY-rah / /ˈmɔɪrə/Irish; Greek
Meaning
Irish: 'star of the sea'; Greek: 'bitter'
Historical & Cultural Background
Moira is a name of Irish origin, often associated with the Gaelic name Maolmhuire. It has been used in various forms throughout history, particularly in Ireland. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world and has been embraced in various cultures. In Greek, Moira refers to fate or destiny, adding a layer of depth to its meaning.
Trend Summary
Moira has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a modest presence in recent years.
Similar Names
Variants
- Maura
- Moya
International Variants
- Moira (Irish)
- Maire (Irish)
- Mireille (French)
Famous people named Moira
Moira Shearer was a Scottish ballet dancer and actress known for her role in the film 'The Red Shoes'.
Moira Kelly is an American actress recognized for her performances in 'The Cutting Edge' and 'One Tree Hill'.
Moira Stuart is a British journalist and newsreader, notable for being one of the first black female news presenters in the UK.
Moira Demos is an American filmmaker known for co-directing the documentary series 'Making a Murderer'.
Fictional characters named Moira
Moira Rose is a character from the television series 'Schitt's Creek', known for her eccentric personality and dramatic flair.
Moira MacTaggert appears in the 'X-Men' comics and films as a geneticist and ally to the mutants.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Moira was first seen in the United States in 1913. Moira has ranked as high as #1001 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Moira has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Moira (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 8 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| WA | 6 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| IN | 5 | |
| PA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1921 | 8 |
| 1922 | 7 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1927 | 8 |
| 1928 | 8 |
| 1929 | 11 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1931 | 12 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1934 | 19 |
| 1935 | 19 |
| 1936 | 14 |
| 1937 | 24 |
| 1938 | 12 |
| 1939 | 22 |
| 1940 | 20 |
| 1941 | 20 |
| 1942 | 29 |
| 1943 | 17 |
| 1944 | 18 |
| 1945 | 15 |
| 1946 | 20 |
| 1947 | 32 |
| 1948 | 41 |
| 1949 | 44 |
| 1950 | 38 |
| 1951 | 66 |
| 1952 | 73 |
| 1953 | 80 |
| 1954 | 91 |
| 1955 | 102 |
| 1956 | 92 |
| 1957 | 108 |
| 1958 | 126 |
| 1959 | 105 |
| 1960 | 124 |
| 1961 | 113 |
| 1962 | 120 |
| 1963 | 144 |
| 1964 | 143 |
| 1965 | 143 |
| 1966 | 110 |
| 1967 | 97 |
| 1968 | 111 |
| 1969 | 94 |
| 1970 | 74 |
| 1971 | 86 |
| 1972 | 74 |
| 1973 | 67 |
| 1974 | 59 |
| 1975 | 54 |
| 1976 | 65 |
| 1977 | 70 |
| 1978 | 61 |
| 1979 | 69 |
| 1980 | 70 |
| 1981 | 73 |
| 1982 | 80 |
| 1983 | 71 |
| 1984 | 59 |
| 1985 | 58 |
| 1986 | 59 |
| 1987 | 60 |
| 1988 | 73 |
| 1989 | 51 |
| 1990 | 62 |
| 1991 | 79 |
| 1992 | 75 |
| 1993 | 82 |
| 1994 | 91 |
| 1995 | 124 |
| 1996 | 110 |
| 1997 | 133 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 131 |
| 2000 | 128 |
| 2001 | 111 |
| 2002 | 116 |
| 2003 | 132 |
| 2004 | 124 |
| 2005 | 128 |
| 2006 | 133 |
| 2007 | 112 |
| 2008 | 122 |
| 2009 | 109 |
| 2010 | 97 |
| 2011 | 105 |
| 2012 | 115 |
| 2013 | 103 |
| 2014 | 126 |
| 2015 | 131 |
| 2016 | 118 |
| 2017 | 132 |
| 2018 | 133 |
| 2019 | 115 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2021 | 125 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 105 |