Moira

In This Article

Origin, Meaning, And History Of Moira

Moira is a charming feminine name that has its roots in the Irish language, but it is also believed to have English, Gaelic, and Latin origins. The name’s most common meaning is “beloved” or “drop of the sea,” but it can also be translated as “destiny,” “fate,” “share,” or the will of gods. It is an anglicized version of the feminine term Máire. The Moirai, also referred to as the three fates in English, were the archetypes of fate in classical Greek mythology. Some terms related to this name include “meros,” which means “part and lot,” and “meiresthai,” which indicates “to receive one’s share.”

According to Homer, the ancient Greek poet, fate, or Moira, is a singular and impersonal power. At times, he interchanged their functions with those of the Olympian gods. Beginning in the eighth century BC, the Fates were personified as three elderly women who spun the threads of human fortune, particularly during the time of poet Hesiod. They were known as Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos.

Over the centuries, Moira has undergone numerous cultural variations. Its key variants in the Irish language include Máire, Maura, Moyra, and Muire. Meanwhile, the Scottish variants are Mhairi and Moyra, and the Scottish Gaelic variants are Màiri and Moire. “Máirín” and “Maureen” are the primary Irish diminutives of the name.

The name was hugely popular in the early 2000s. It appears frequently in television shows and fiction. For instance, Moira O’Hara is a character in the television series American Horror Story, while Moira Nicholson is a character in Agatha Christie’s novel The Boomerang Clue. In the movie On the Beach, Moira Davidson is another occurrence, and Moira Banning is the name of Peter Pan’s wife in the film Hook. Moreover, Moira Burton is a prominent figure in Capcom’s game Resident Evil: Revelations 2.

Moira

heart image
Hebrew - Sea of Bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for Child; Celtic - Little Mary; A variant of Mary
Girl
Judaism
Hebrew, Scottish
 M..  Ma..  Man..  Mar..  Mau.. 

How To Pronounce Moira?

English

Famous People With The Name Moira

  • Moira HarrisAmerican actress known for working in films like One More Saturday Night and Of Mice and Men
  • Moira KellyAmerican actress known for playing Kate Moseley in the 1992 film The Cutting Edge
  • Moira GunnAmerican academic and a professional journalist best known as the host of the public radio program Tech Nation
  • Moira ForbesAmerican journalist and Forbes’ Executive Vice President
  • Moira Shannon QuirkEnglish actress, known for her films The Tomorrow War (2021) and The Mummy (2017)
  • Moira BuffiniEnglish dramatist and director who won the Time Out Award and the Writers’ Guild Award for her play Jordan

Moira On The Popularity Chart

The name became popular first in 1997 and then in 2006. Here is a graphic representation of its popularity and ranking over the years.

Popularity Over Time

The name witnessed considerable fluctuations in its popularity. Look at this graph to learn more about the changes in its usage.

Source: Social Security Administration

Rank Over Time

The name’s ranking improved in 1995 and 1997, but has witnessed consistent rise and fall.

Source: Social Security Administration

Names With Similar Sound As Moira

Moira is a melodic name which is loved by many. You can find similar suggestions below.

Names With Similar Meaning As Moira

Check out the list provided here if you need ideas for names that signify “beloved.”

Name Numerology For Moira

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.