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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mairi

Mairi

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAH-ree /ˈmɑ.ri/Medium

Meaning: Mairi is the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam — a name whose meaning has never been settled, with 'beloved', 'bitter' and 'wished-for child' all proposed. In Gaelic it is a long-standing everyday name.Low

In 30 seconds: Mary, in Gaelic: Mairi is the Scottish form of one of the world's most enduring names (said 'MAH-ree').
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Origin MediumScottish Gaelic, Hebrew
MeaningMairi is the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam — a name whose meaning has never been settled, with 'beloved', 'bitter' and 'wished-for child' all proposed. In Gaelic it is a long-standing everyday name.
U.S. rank (2024)#14537 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2011
Total births (all-time)≈ 284

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201119602024

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

Mairi is the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam. It has been a household name in the Highlands and Islands for centuries, and travels easily into English while keeping its Gaelic shape and its softer opening vowel (said 'MAH-ree').

In the U.S. it is very rare, though Mary is a perennial classic. Heritage-rich, gentle, and enduring.

Did you know? Mary's own meaning has never been settled — 'beloved', 'bitter' and 'wished-for child' have all been argued. Gaelic simply took the name and made it Mairi, and has been using it for centuries.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Mairi — Scottish Gaelic form of Mary (< Hebrew Miriam); meaning of Mary disputed

Variations

MaryMaireMoira

Nicknames

MaiRee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mairi…

Mary— the English form behind it
Mairead— a like Gaelic heritage name
Moira— a like Gaelic-rooted classic
Isla— a like Scottish favorite

Explore names like Mairi

By themeheritageclassicscottishgaelic
By meaningLove

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mairi mean?

Mairi is the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, from Hebrew Miriam; the meaning of Mary itself has never been settled.

How do you pronounce Mairi?

It's said MAH-ree /ˈmɑ.ri/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mairi a boy or girl name?

Mairi is a girl's name.

How popular is Mairi?

Mairi is very rare in the U.S., though it remains familiar in Scotland.

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