Girl Name · Irish Origin
Maura
Maura — a girl name from the Irish tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Dark-skinned", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Mayra is on your shortlist, Maura belongs in the same conversation.
Maura meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Dark-skinned
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Maura to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Maura as M·A·U·R·A, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Maura is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Maura variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Mauraa, Maurae, Mauray, Maur.
- Nicknames: Mau and M.
- Middle names: Pair Maura with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Maura middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Mayra, Maira, Mara, Moira, Myra — full picks on the sibling names for Maura guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Maura? Browse our names like Maura guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Maura
What does the name Maura mean?
Maura means "Dark-skinned" and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of Maura?
Maura originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Maura?
Maura has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Maura a boy's or girl's name?
Maura is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Maura in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Maura sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Maura?
Names that share Maura's sound and style include Mayra, Maira, Mara, Moira, Myra.
What middle names pair well with Maura?
Good middle-name fits for Maura pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Maura is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Maura is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Maura?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Maura share its rhythm without rhyming — Mayra, Maira, Mara all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.