Girl · 594th of 30,306
Myra
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
63,534
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1958
Peak Popularity Year
1,295
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Myra stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Myra is a name of Greek origin meaning 'fragrant resin', linked to the ancient use of myrrh. It has evolved through forms like Mira and Myra in English. The name is often associated with elegance and has gained popularity since the 19th century. It does not have a biblical background.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmaɪrə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Myra is derived from the Greek word 'myron', which means 'myrrh', a fragrant resin used in ancient times for perfumes and incense.
Meaning
Fragrant resin
Language Evolution
Myra (Greek), Mira (Latin), Myra (English)
Historical Usage
The name Myra gained popularity in the 19th century, especially in English-speaking countries, partly due to its use in literature and some early Christian contexts.
Variants & Derivatives
Mira, Myrra
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Myra is perceived as a classic yet slightly vintage name, often associated with elegance and femininity.
Famous People
Myra Hindley, an English criminal, Myra Breckinridge, a fictional character in a novel by Gore Vidal
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,295 peak births in 1958
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Alabama
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 6 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6076th of 6773 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5438th of 7552 | 24 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13420th of 16616 | 12 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 298th of 9107 | 8,570 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 260th of 9204 | 11,677 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 267th of 12526 | 19,161 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 478th of 19264 | 6,784 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 688th of 27321 | 4,620 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 970th of 35406 | 4,031 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 594th of 30306 | 6,218 |