Mairead
Mairead is a Christian girl name of Greek, via Irish origin, meaning “Pearl”.
| Meaning | Pearl |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek, via Irish |
| Pronunciation | maw-RAID |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland |
Meaning and origin of Mairead
Mairead, properly Máiréad, is the Irish form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites 'pearl'. Margaret spread through Europe with the cult of saints, and the Irish adapted it to their own sound system. A notable bearer is Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who shared the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for her work for peace in Northern Ireland. The Scottish Gaelic form is Mairead or Maighread.
Is Mairead a Christian name?
The name honours saints such as Margaret of Antioch and Margaret of Scotland, so it has a clear Christian background.
How popular is Mairead?
A familiar Irish name, more common in older generations than among babies.
Gifts with the name Mairead
- Mairead name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Mairead baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Mairead
Names similar to Mairead
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mairead mean?
Mairead means 'Pearl'. It is of Greek, via Irish origin.
Is Mairead a Christian name?
The name honours saints such as Margaret of Antioch and Margaret of Scotland, so it has a clear Christian background.
How do you pronounce Mairead?
Mairead is pronounced maw-RAID.
Is Mairead a boy or girl name?
Mairead is usually a girl name.