Given name & surname · also Gaelic
Meara
“one who is filled with happiness”·“filled with joy”
Meara is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “one who is filled with happiness” and “filled with joy” (Irish). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one who is filled with happiness” and “filled with joy” (Irish). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Irish.
How it developed
In English usage, Meara as a surname is a short form of O'MEARA.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1973. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Meara through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,436
- 0 boys · 1,436 girls
- Most popular year
- 2015
- 72 babies
- 2025
- 53
- #3,091 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −30%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 53 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,091 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 29.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 72 in 2015. In 2025, Washington had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,207 as a first name in 2020; 569 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Meara’s family of names
In English usage, Meara as a surname is a short form of O'MEARA. Meara has a related form in Meadhra. Meara has a related form in Mearah.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 10
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Mearahvariant
- Meadhravariant
- Meareavariant
- Meareevariant
- Meareyvariant
- Mearyvariant
- Mearivariant
- Mearievariant
Show 2 moreShow fewer
Similar names
If you love Meara, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Kerrigan
“having black hair”
7% boys · 93% girls
Hennessy
“descendant of Angus”
3% boys · 97% girls
Ellory
“resembling a swan”
>99% girls
Keira
“little dark-haired one” · “having dark features; the little dark one”
>99% girls
Faraday
Faraday is a surname from Irish. It is used in English and Polish.
>99% girls
Bree
“from the high hill; one who ascends”
>99% girls
Keara
“little dark-haired one”
>99% girls
Connelly
Connelly is a surname from Irish.
24% boys · 76% girls