Muir
A boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 7 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Muir hit its peak of 7 births in 2018, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Today, Muir reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Muir is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Muir is a boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Gaelic word moor, meaning 'sea' or 'moorland.' As a surname, Muir is inseparable from John Muir, the Scottish-American naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, whose advocacy helped preserve America's wilderness. Using it as a given name honors that conservation legacy.
Rare and quietly powerful, Muir suits parents who love nature-connected names with a rugged, one-syllable strength — a name with mountains and open skies in its DNA.
EtymologyShow more
Muir is built from 4 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Muir creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Muir has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2018.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 7 | #10390 | — |
The Story of Muir
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Muir is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Muir are most likely born between 2018 and 2018.
How rare is Muir?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Muir is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2018, peaked in the 2010s with 7 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(1 years, 2018–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | #10390 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Muir a boy's or girl's name?
When was Muir most popular?
How popular is the name Muir?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2018–2018