Moira is the phonetic form of the Irish name “Máire”. This was the name used in Ireland for the mother of Jesus. For that reason, it was rarely used as a first name until the end of the 15th century (just as the Celts would not give a child the name Jesus). There are many variations in the spelling of Máire including Maria, Mariam, Marie, Maisie, Molly – and Moira. Moira became popular in Scotland at the beginning of the 20th century, due no doubt to the influx of immigrants from Ireland. It became even more popular in the mid-20th century, reaching 21st in the table of most popular girls’ names that year.
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