Mira

What does Mira mean?

The name Mira carries a simple, attractive core meaning. In Latin-derived use it evokes the idea of something "wonderful" or "marvellous". In Slavic languages the root mir suggests "peace" or "world", so the name can also feel quietly centred and harmonious.

As a given name Mira feels gentle and approachable while also retaining a hint of elegance. It sits easily between classic names like Miriam and more modern choices such as Myra, offering a tone that is warm, lightly refined and internationally friendly.

Historical Context

Mira is a name with plural influences rather than a single origin story. As a standalone form it is often linked to the Latin adjective mirus, which produces meanings around "wonder" and "marvel". That Latin strand helps explain why Mira feels familiar and slightly classical in many western languages.

At the same time Mira can be seen as related to Slavic names built on the element mir, which means "peace" or "world". In that context it is found as part of longer names such as Miroslava, but it also appears on its own as a concise, peaceful name. In South Asia the spelling "Meera" has long associations through the devotional poet Meera Bai, giving the form cultural resonance in Hindi and related languages; that spelling is often anglicised to Mira or Meera in English-speaking contexts.

Over the last century the name has moved between cultures and languages with few complications. It has appeared in literature and as the name of the bright variable star Mira in the constellation Cetus, which has added a subtle celestial association in modern usage. The result is a name that feels international, historically layered and easy to live with.

Popularity of Mira over time

In 2025, Mira was given to 135 girls in the UK and 916 girls in the US. Mira has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon girls' name especially in the US.

What do parents think of Mira?