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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maier

Maier

♂ Boy

Pronounced MY-er /ˈmaɪ.ər/High

Meaning: Maier has two lines. In Jewish families it stands for Meir, Hebrew for 'one who shines, gives light'. In German it is Meier, an occupational name for a steward or tenant farmer, from Latin maior, 'greater'. Which line a family follows varies, so routes are uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Maier is Hebrew Meir, 'one who shines', and German Meier, 'steward' (said 'MY-er'). Two routes, which we note.
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Origin LowGerman, Hebrew
MeaningMaier has two lines. In Jewish families it stands for Meir, Hebrew for 'one who shines, gives light'. In German it is Meier, an occupational name for a steward or tenant farmer, from Latin maior, 'greater'. Which line a family follows varies, so routes are uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#13433 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 24

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320132024

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

Maier is one of the commonest surnames in the German-speaking world, from Meier, the bailiff or head tenant of an estate, itself from Latin maior, 'greater'. Among Jewish families it doubles as a spelling of Meir, Hebrew 'one who shines' — the name of the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Meir. Which route a bearer carries varies, so routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'MY-er').

It is very rare as a first name in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and double-rooted.

Did you know? The same spelling holds two histories: the Hebrew Meir, 'one who gives light', and the German Meier, the steward who ran a great farm — from Latin maior, 'greater'.
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Maier — German Meier, 'steward' < Latin maior; Hebrew Meir, 'one who shines'

Variations

MeirMayerMeier

Nicknames

MayMai

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Maier…

Meir— the Hebrew name behind one route
Asher— a like warm Hebrew pick
Levi— a like Jewish heritage name
Sawyer— a like -er surname name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maier mean?

Maier stands for Hebrew Meir, 'one who shines', and for German Meier, a steward or head tenant, from Latin maior, 'greater'. Routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Maier?

It's said MY-er /ˈmaɪ.ər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Maier a boy or girl name?

Maier is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Maier?

Maier is a very rare first name for boys in the U.S.

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