Moina
A girl's name of Irish origin with 10 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Moina is a vintage name that peaked in early twentieth-century America and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The open, warm quality of its ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Moina is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Moina is a girl's baby name of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, an anglicized form of the Gaelic Muadhnait — believed to be a diminutive of muadh, an old Gaelic word meaning noble or good. The name appears in Irish literature and was revived in the 19th century as part of the Celtic romantic movement.
Moina has the soft, melodic quality characteristic of Celtic feminine names. It was used by the poet James Macpherson in his Ossianic poetry, which gave it a romantic, literary association. For families with Irish or Scottish heritage seeking a genuinely rare Gaelic name, Moina is a beautiful find.
EtymologyShow more
Though Moina dates back to 1923 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Irish classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 10 recorded births, Moina has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Moina has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1923.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | #4693 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | #5482 | — |
The Story of Moina
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Moina is a name steeped in history. Girls named Moina are most likely born between 1923 and 1933.
How rare is Moina?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Moina is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1923, peaked in the 1920s with 5 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 1923–1935)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 5 | #4693 |
| 1923 | 5 | #5482 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moina a boy's or girl's name?
When was Moina most popular?
How popular is the name Moina?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1923–1935