Meir
Meir is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “one who shines, illuminates.” It ranked #948 in the United States in 2025. Meir means 'one who gives light' or 'one who shines.'
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how do you pronounce Meir?
may-EER
where does the name Meir come from?
A Jewish male name meaning one who shines, from the Hebrew me'ir, also used as a surname; it was Germanized as Maier, Mayer, Mayr, Meier, Meyer or Meijer and Anglicized as Mayer, Meyer or Myer.
Rabbi Meir was one of the greatest Talmudic sages. Golda Meir (born Golda Mabovitch) led Israel as Prime Minister during the Yom Kippur War. The name carries associations with wisdom, scholarly brilliance, and courageous leadership — a light in both intellectual and political spheres.
how popular is this name?
Meir has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 5 years since 2020, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #907 in 2024, and ranked #948 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #948 |
| 2024 | #907 |
| 2023 | #930 |
| 2022 | #967 |
| 2020 | #969 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Meir fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Meir
Golda Meir, Israel's fourth prime minister, made the surname famous.
who are famous people named Meir?
- Golda Meir (Israeli Prime Minister, though born Mabovitch)
- Rabbi Meir (one of the greatest Talmudic scholars)
what are the nicknames and variants of Meir?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Meir?
what names go well with Meir?
Sibling names that share Meir's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Meir
What does the name Meir mean?
Meir means “one who shines, illuminates”.
What is the origin of the name Meir?
Meir comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Meyer, Mayer, Maier and Meier.
How popular is the name Meir?
Meir ranked #948 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Meir a boy or girl name?
Meir is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Meir?
Meir is pronounced may-EER, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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