Lira
A girl's name of Spanish origin with 362 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Spanish.
Lira is a girl's baby name of Spanish origin, from the Spanish lira, the stringed musical instrument (the lyre), meaning 'lyre' — the instrument of Apollo and Orpheus, the most exalted symbol of music and poetry in classical antiquity.
Lira is a beautiful music-inspired name — the lyre was the instrument that Orpheus played so beautifully he could charm wild animals, move rocks, and ultimately descend into Hades to retrieve his beloved Eurydice. As a name, Lira carries all of that musical transcendence. In Arabic, Lira is also related to a silver coin, while in Italian it's the former currency — multiple cultural layers beneath a single, melodious name.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Lira belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Spanish naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Spanish names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Lira’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lira has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1976.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 133 | #5218 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 163 | #9286 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 43 | #14376 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | #14352 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 8 | #7813 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | #10153 | — |
The Story of Lira
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Lira is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Lira are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Lira?
Only about 1 in every 180,000 babies born in 2024 was named Lira — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1976, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 163 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Lira by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1976–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | #6052 |
| 2023 | 22 | #5660 |
| 2022 | 29 | #4736 |
| 2021 | 42 | #3650 |
| 2020 | 20 | #5990 |
| 2019 | 33 | #4306 |
| 2018 | 28 | #4839 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7674 |
| 2016 | 30 | #4690 |
| 2015 | 11 | #9886 |
| 2014 | 13 | #8763 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11564 |
| 2012 | 5 | #18440 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10858 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11836 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11148 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14739 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13402 |
| 2006 | 7 | #14486 |
| 2005 | 6 | #15630 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lira a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lira most popular?
How popular is the name Lira?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1976–2024