Meir Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Meir is a Hebrew name meaning 'illuminator' or 'bringer of light'. It evolved from Hebrew roots and has variants such as Meirav and Meyer. The name is associated with traits of wisdom and enlightenment and has no direct biblical relevance. It became more popular in the 19th century within Jewish communities and remains a respected name today, associated with notable figures.
The name Meir is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Meir has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Meir' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4682nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2826th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1998th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1668th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1077th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Meir' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Meir"
Pronunciation
/meɪˈɪr/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Meir comes from the Hebrew root 'or', which means 'to illuminate' or 'to give light'.
Meaning
Illuminator, bringer of light
Language Evolution
Meir, Meirav
Historical Usage
The name Meir gained popularity in Jewish communities, especially in Eastern Europe, during the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Meirav, Meyer, Meire
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Meir is perceived as a traditional yet modern name among Jewish families, symbolizing enlightenment and wisdom.
Famous People
Meir Kahane, Meir Shalev, Meir Ariel
Explore More Meir Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Meir"
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 of "Meir"
"Meir" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4682nd of 7552 | 42 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2826th of 10718 | 200 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1998th of 16616 | 551 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1668th of 24088 | 1,296 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1077th of 23106 | 2,267 |
Regional Popularity of "Meir" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
49.18% 1195th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
26.50% 923rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
15.51% 694th/4475 |
67.60% 3511th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
71.85% 3292nd/4582 |
9.78% 505th/5164 |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
59.31% 4426th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
58.13% 2316th/3984 |
7.18% 322nd/4487 |
33.77% 2304th/6822 |
34.59% 2171st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Meir" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Meir"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Meir" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.