Moira
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Origin of the name Mary:
Anglicized form of Maria, which is derived from the Hebrew Miryām (sea of bitterness, sea of sorrow). There is much debate over the meaning of the name, however. While "sea of bitterness or sorrow" seems to be the most probable, some sources give the alternative definitions of "rebellion," "wished-for child," and "mistress or lady of the sea." The name, borne in the Bible by the virgin mother of Jesus, has become one of the most enduringly popular names in the Christian world.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Moira sound...
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Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Moira!
- Comments and insights on the name Moira: | Edit
First off, it's pronounced MOR-a not MOyRAH. Sources: it's my name. It's the real, original correct Celtic pronunciation. It aquired the moyrah pronunciation when it was translated into English. I took several Irish dance classes when I was younger, and there were 3 other Moiras In it, all with the correct spelling also and correct pronunciation too. When pronounced Moyrah, in my opinion, it loses it's beauty and it sounds like an old Jewish woman with nasal problems is trying to pronounce it, unsuccessfully.
ALTERNATE POINT OF VIEW
My name is also Moira, and I pronounce it MOY-rah. The origin of the name in relation to me is an ancient greek word meaning fate, and that is how it is said in that language and context.- Personal experiences with the name Moira: | Edit
We named our daughter Moira because we wanted a derivation of Mary that wasn't too common and we love Gaelic names.I had heard the name before (always pronounced MOY-rah) and thought it was pretty and unique, but not too off the wall. However, living in a small Midwestern town, we are CONSTANTLY asked how to spell and pronounce her name. Hopefully, this won't affect our daughter's view of what I consider a lovely name. Given the choice, I'm not 100% sure we'd choose Moira again...at least living in the backwoods like we do (-: However, if you don't mind the twice over when you give your child's name, go for it. It has a beautiful lilting sound!
- Nicknames for Moira: | Edit
Mosie
- Meanings and history of the name Moira: | Edit
Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Máire (a form of Mary.)
Pronounced: MOI-ra
Moirae or Moerae (in greek mythology) referred to the white-robed personifications (3 sisters) that ruled over human destiny.- Famous real-life people named Moira: | Edit
Moira Kelly, Irish-American actress.
Moira Brooker, English actress
Moira Lister, South African actress and writer.
Moira Shearer, Scottish ballet dancer and actress.
Moira Orfei, Italian actress and television personality.
Moira Cameron, first Yeoman Warder 'Beefeater', at the Tower of London.
Moira Stuart, British journalist and newsreader.- Moira in song, story & screen: | Edit
Moira, character in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale."
Moira MacTaggert, fictional character the X-Men stories in the Marvel Comics universe.
Moira Davidson, a character played by Ava Gardner in the 1959 movie "On the Beach" with Fred Astaire and Gregory Peck.
Moira Doyle, a key character in the popular Australian TV series called "McLeod's Daughters".
Wendy's middle name in the novel "Peter Pan": her full name is Wendy Moira Angela Darling.
NameVoyager US Popularity of Moira Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Moira by State
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