Leire

♀ Girl

Pronounced LAY-ray /ˈleɪ.reɪ/Medium

Meaning: A Basque name taken from the monastery of San Salvador de Leyre in Navarre, an ancient royal abbey; it belongs to the family of Marian and shrine names given after holy places. The place name's own root is not settled, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A Basque name from a holy place: Leire honors the ancient monastery of Leyre in Navarre (said 'LAY-ray'). Devotional and distinctive.

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Origin MediumBasque, Spanish

MeaningA Basque name taken from the monastery of San Salvador de Leyre in Navarre, an ancient royal abbey; it belongs to the family of Marian and shrine names given after holy places. The place name's own root is not settled, which we note.

U.S. rank (2023)#16558 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 76

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Leire takes its name from San Salvador de Leyre, the ancient monastery in the Navarrese hills long tied to the kings of Navarre. Basque families give such shrine names to daughters, and Leire became widely loved in Spain in recent generations. The place name's own root is unsettled, which we note (said 'LAY-ray').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely; it is familiar across the Basque Country and Spain. Rare here, well loved there.

Did you know? Leire comes from the monastery of Leyre in Navarre — one of the oldest abbeys in Spain — and belongs to the Basque custom of naming daughters after Marian shrines, which we note respectfully (said 'LAY-ray').

Overall data confidence 44%

References — Leire — Basque; monastery of Leyre; Marian shrine name

Variations

LeyreLeiraLeyra

Nicknames

LeiRei

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Explore names like Leire

By themespanish place-name basque marian

By meaningGod / Divine Royal / Noble Gift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Leire mean?

Leire is a Basque name from the monastery of Leyre in Navarre, given in the Marian shrine-name tradition. The place name's own root is unsettled.

How do you pronounce Leire?

It's said LAY-ray /ˈleɪ.reɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Leire a boy or girl name?

Leire is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Leire?

Leire is a very rare name in the U.S., though popular in Spain.