Find out how popular the last name Myra is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Myra.

Myra, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Myra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Myra in America

Myra is the 111988th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Myra surname appeared 157 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Myra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Myra to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Myra

The surname Myra has its roots in ancient India, where it originated as a personal name derived from the Sanskrit word "mira," meaning "boundless" or "ocean." This name gained prominence during the medieval period and was particularly associated with the Rajput warrior clans of northern India.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Myra can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, where it appears as the name of a prominent warrior and leader. The name also appears in various Hindu scriptures and texts, indicating its long-standing cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent.

As trade and cultural exchange flourished along the Silk Road, the name Myra gradually spread westward, arriving in regions such as Persia and the Middle East. It was during this time that the name likely transitioned from a personal name to a surname, as it became associated with specific families and lineages.

In the 12th century, the Myra surname made its way to Europe through the Crusades and the interactions between European and Middle Eastern cultures. Historical records from this period, such as the Domesday Book, contain references to individuals bearing the surname Myra, often associated with nobility or influential families.

One notable figure bearing the Myra surname was Sir John Myra (1440-1512), a prominent English knight and landowner during the Wars of the Roses. Another was Lady Elizabeth Myra (1520-1585), a courtier in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and a renowned patron of the arts.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Myra surname gained a foothold in various European countries, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands. During this period, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Myrae, Mira, and Myrah, reflecting regional linguistic variations.

One notable figure from this era was the Dutch artist and engraver, Willem Myra (1592-1647), whose etchings and engravings depicting scenes from daily life and mythology are highly regarded in the art world.

In the 19th century, the Myra surname found its way to the Americas through waves of immigration from Europe. One prominent individual bearing this surname was James Myra (1820-1895), an American politician and businessman who served as the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1858 to 1860.

Throughout its long history, the Myra surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, military leaders, and entrepreneurs. While its origins can be traced back to ancient India, the name has since evolved and spread across continents, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and diverse narratives.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Myra

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Myra.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Myra was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Myra has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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