Moira

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly bitter or rebellious
Origin: Hebrew — Anglicized form of Máire, the Irish form of Mary, coincides with the Greek word for fate

Girl's name · #2047 in the US (2025) · 2010s wave

Popularity over time

Moira reached its best rank, #834, in 1965 and ranked #2047 in 2025. Roughly 7,900 girls have been named Moira since 1913.

Across the states

See where Moira is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 11 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Moira ranks in other countries and regions.

#608 in Ireland (2025) · #647 in Switzerland (2025) · #687 in France (2025) · #780 in Scotland (2025) · #1,023 in Belgium (2025) · #1,974 in Canada (2025) · #2,074 in Italy (2024) · #2,203 in Sweden (2025) · #2,605 in England & Wales (2025) · #3,113 in Austria (2025) · #10,045 in Ecuador (2023) · #418 in N. Ireland (2022) and 3 more.

Famous Moiras

Moira Kelly — American actress (born 1968)
Moira Harris — American actress (born 1954)
Moira Shearer — Scottish ballerina and actress (1926–2006)
Moira Lister — South African-British actress (1923–2007)
Moira Walley-Beckett — Canadian-American television actress, producer and writer (born 2000)

In stories & tradition

Moira MacTaggert — X-Men (comics)
Moira Burton — Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (video game)

What Moiras become

Among 166 notable people named Moira:

Entertainers appear 1.75× more often than among typical names — e.g. Moira Kelly, American actress (born 1968).

Similar names: Kyrie · Mona · Shira · Collette · Tiara · Elissa

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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