Meir, Meyer

• Origin: Hebrew מֵאִיר
• Meaning: “giving light.”
• Heb pron: (meh-EER; meh-EER-ah); Yid pron (MY-er)

From the Hebrew name מֵאִיר (Me’ir), meaning “one who gives light” or “one who illuminates.” It is derived from the Hebrew root אור (’or), meaning “light.”

The name was notably borne by Rabbi Meir, an influential 2nd-century Jewish sage and one of the foremost Tannaim—the rabbinic scholars whose teachings contributed to the Mishnah. According to tradition, Meir was an epithet bestowed upon him because he “enlightened the eyes of the sages” with his learning.

Meir ranks among the Top 100 male names in Israel, reaching #29 in 2024. In the United States, it first entered the Top 1000 male names at #970 in 2020. After falling outside the chart in 2021, it returned in 2022 and has remained there since. It peaked at #908 in 2024 and currently ranks #948 as of 2025.

Other forms include:

• Meijer (German transcription)
• Miagro (Italian-Jewish)
• Mejer (Polish transcription)

Meira and Meirit are feminine forms.

Sources

• https://www.behindthename.com/name/meir
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meir