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Home › Baby Names Directory › Meara

Meara

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEER-ah /ˈmɪr.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Irish O'Meara — possibly 'merry, full of mirth' or linked to 'the sea'; routes debatedLow

In 30 seconds: Merry and Irish: Meara is the O'Meara surname — possibly 'full of mirth' (or 'sea'). Lyrical, warm, and cheerful.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningFrom Irish O'Meara — possibly 'merry, full of mirth' or linked to 'the sea'; routes debated
U.S. rank (2025)#3091 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births53 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,436

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519732025

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

Meara comes from the Irish surname O'Meara (Ó Meadhra) — possibly 'merry, full of mirth', or linked to 'the sea' (routes debated, which we note). A lyrical, cheerful Irish name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, merry-or-sea at the root, and warm.

Did you know? Meara comes from the Irish surname O'Meara — possibly 'merry, full of mirth'; comedian Anne Meara made it familiar, and it echoes 'the sea' too.
Overall data confidence 65%
Behind the Name — Meara — routes debated

Variations

MeraMiraMeera

Nicknames

Mira

Famous Bearers

  • ★Anne Meara (1929-2015)
    American actress and comedian, half of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara, and mother of Ben Stiller

If you like Meara…

Mira— a sound-neighbor name
Meera— a fellow Mee- name
Ciara— a companion Irish name
Saoirse— another lyrical Irish name

Explore names like Meara

By themeuncertainsurname-nameirish
By meaningSea / WaterJoy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Meara mean?

Meara is the Irish O'Meara surname, possibly 'merry, full of mirth' or linked to 'the sea'; the routes are debated.

How do you pronounce Meara?

It's said MEER-ah /ˈmɪr.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Meara a boy or girl name?

Meara is a girl's name.

How popular is Meara?

Meara is a rare name in the U.S.

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