Maira

Maira is a female given name with roots in ancient Greek mythology. It derives from the Greek verb μαρμαίρω (marmairo), meaning "to sparkle, gleam, or flash," evoking luminous imagery. The name is most famously associated with figures in Greek mythology: one of the Nereids (sea nymphs) and a daughter of the Titan Atlas. It appears rarely in classical sources but carries poetic overtones of radiance and beauty. Variants include Maera, which sometimes refers to a dog in some myths or a mortal woman transformed into a star. Beyond mythology, Maira is also used as a given name in Latvia, where it first appears in official records in 1935 and is considered a short form of Marija (Mary). According to the Population Register of Latvia, as of 2010, 776 individuals bore the name. The name also exists as a toponym: the Maira is a river in Piedmont, Italy, offering a geographic connection. Its European distribution reflects both classical heritage and modern, localized adoption.

• Meaning: "sparkle, gleam, flash"
• Origin: Greek
• Type: given name (feminine)
• Usage regions: Greece, Latvia, Italy (as a river name)