Find out how popular the first name Kayra has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kayra by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Kayra is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Kayra being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 45 female babies and 10 male babies born with the name Kayra.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 10 baby boys were named Kayra in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kayra

The name Kayra has its origins in the Sanskrit language, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have emerged around the 5th century BCE during the Vedic period of ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Kira," which means "ray of light" or "radiant one."

In the ancient Hindu texts, Kayra is mentioned as the name of a minor deity associated with the sun and its radiant energy. This connection to celestial bodies and the symbolism of light suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals born during auspicious solar events or those deemed to possess a luminous and radiant essence.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Kayra can be found in the Mahabharata, a ancient Sanskrit epic dating back to the 8th or 9th century BCE. In this text, Kayra is presented as the name of a warrior who fought alongside the Pandava brothers in the legendary Kurukshetra War.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kayra. One of the most famous was Kayra Devi (1050-1115 CE), a princess from the Chalukya dynasty who was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her dedication to the promotion of Sanskrit literature.

Another prominent figure was Kayra Mishra (1456-1524 CE), a Hindu scholar and poet who authored numerous works on philosophy, astronomy, and mathematics. His treatise on the principles of astrology, titled "Kayra Siddhanta," is considered a seminal work in the field.

In the realm of spirituality, Kayra Nath (1765-1848 CE) was a revered Hindu mystic and saint who founded the Kayra Panthi sect, which emphasizes devotion to the divine and the pursuit of inner enlightenment.

Moving into more modern times, Kayra Narayanan (1920-2005 CE) was an influential Indian diplomat and statesman who served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 1976 to 1977.

Lastly, Kayra Mukherjee (1943-2021 CE) was a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Kathak dance form.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kayra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kayra, please contact us.

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