Elira
A girl's name with 156 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Elira hit its peak of 21 births in 2023, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Elira has carried that momentum forward and remains a live choice today.
In the most recent SSA release, Elira ranks #6210 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Elira is a girl's baby name of Albanian origin meaning 'free' or 'freedom,' from the Albanian word for freedom and liberty. It is one of Albania's most beloved names, carrying the profound aspiration for liberty that resonates deeply in a nation that spent decades under communist rule.
Elira's four syllables — el-EE-rah — flow beautifully, and its meaning of freedom gives it an aspirational power that speaks across cultures. It has both Albanian national pride and universal human resonance built into every letter.
EtymologyShow more
Elira is built from 5 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Elira creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elira has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2008.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 81 | #7389 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 69 | #10550 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | #15983 | — |
The Story of Elira
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Elira is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Elira are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Elira?
Only about 1 in every 189,474 babies born in 2024 was named Elira — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2008, peaked in the 2020s with 81 births that decade.
Elira by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 2008–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | #6210 |
| 2023 | 21 | #5802 |
| 2022 | 19 | #6278 |
| 2021 | 13 | #8155 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10499 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8252 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10810 |
| 2017 | 11 | #9501 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12094 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10367 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11280 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11547 |
| 2008 | 6 | #15983 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elira a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elira most popular?
How popular is the name Elira?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2008–2024