Find out how popular the first name Mairi has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mairi by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mairi is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mairi.

The history of the first name Mairi

The name Mairi originated from the Scottish Gaelic language, derived from the ancient Hebrew name Miriam or Mary. Its earliest recorded use dates back to the Middle Ages in Scotland.

In Gaelic, Mairi is a diminutive form of Moire, the Scots Gaelic equivalent of Mary. The name has its roots in the ancient Hebrew name Miryam, which means "bitter" or "beloved". It was the name of the biblical figure, Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mairi comes from the 14th century, when it was mentioned in the Annals of Loch Cé, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the annals, a woman named Mairi Nic Domhnaill is mentioned as the wife of a prominent Irish chieftain.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Mairi. Mairi Mhor nan Oran (c. 1615 – c. 1680) was a renowned Scottish Gaelic poet from the Isle of Harris. Her poetic works have been widely studied and celebrated for their vivid depictions of life in the Scottish Highlands.

Mairi Anndra Nic Iain (1818 – 1912), better known as Mary MacLean, was a Scottish Gaelic poet and storyteller from the Isle of Mull. She was renowned for her captivating tales and her contributions to preserving the rich oral tradition of the Scottish Gaelic culture.

Mairi Mhòr nan Oran (c. 1660 – c. 1720), also known as Marion Campbell, was a Scottish Gaelic poet and songwriter from Argyll. Her compositions, often focused on themes of love and nature, have been passed down through generations and remain an integral part of the Scottish Gaelic musical heritage.

Mairi Bhàn Loch Aillse (c. 1615 – c. 1690), whose full name was Mary Cameron, was a Scottish Gaelic poet and lyricist from Lochaber. She is remembered for her powerful and evocative poetry that captured the struggles and resilience of the Highland people during turbulent times.

Mairi Nic a' Phearsain (1778 – 1857), also known as Mary MacPherson, was a Scottish Gaelic poet and songwriter from Skye. Her works, often inspired by her love for the Highlands and its natural beauty, have been cherished and sung by generations of Gaelic speakers.

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 Mairi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!