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Mairead
♀ Girl
How to Pronounce Mairead
Pronounced mə-RAYD /məˈreɪd/Medium
Meaning: The Irish form of Margaret — from Greek margarites, 'a pearl'Medium
In 30 seconds: A pearl: Mairead is the Irish Margaret — 'a pearl'. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'mə-RAYD').
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MeaningThe Irish form of Margaret — from Greek margarites, 'a pearl'
U.S. rank (2025)#4317 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births33 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,369
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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
Mairead is the Irish form of Margaret — from Greek margarites, 'a pearl'. A classic, beloved Irish name (the spelling Mairead reads 'mə-RAYD'; nicknames Maire, Peig).
In the U.S. it appears in Irish families. Rare, a-pearl at the root, and classic.
Did you know? Margaret means 'a pearl' (Greek margarites) — Mairead is its lyrical Irish form, a classic name (the spelling looks unusual to English eyes; said 'mə-RAYD').
Overall data confidence 65%
Behind the Name — Mairead — root etymology
Variations
MargaretMaireadMairead
Nicknames
Maire
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Mairead mean?
Mairead is the Irish Margaret — Greek 'a pearl'.
How do you pronounce Mairead?
It's said mə-RAYD /məˈreɪd/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Mairead a boy or girl name?
Mairead is a girl's name.
How popular is Mairead?
Mairead is a rare name in the U.S.