NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Caira

Of Irish origin, meaning "follower" or "descendant".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Caira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Caira popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 7 births.

This profile covers 105 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 86% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 104 living people in the UK are called Caira. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Caira ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 7 girls were registered as Caira.
  • About 104 living people in the UK are estimated to have Caira as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2005

7 births

Estimated living

104

2026

Meaning

What does Caira mean?

The name Caira is believed to have its origins in the ancient Celtic languages, specifically Gaelic and Irish. It is thought to be derived from the old Irish word "caor," which means "berry" or "small fruit." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive term or nickname for someone with a ruddy complexion or rosy cheeks, resembling the color of berries.

During the medieval period, the name Caira was primarily found in Ireland and Scotland, where it was commonly used by families with Celtic roots. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Irish annals and genealogical records dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Caira was Caira of Connacht, a 12th-century Irish noblewoman and chieftain who played a significant role in the struggles against the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. She is mentioned in several contemporary chronicles for her leadership and resistance against the invading forces.

In the 16th century, a Scottish woman named Caira MacDonald was known for her skills as a healer and herbalist. Her knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional remedies was widely respected, and she was often sought out for her expertise in treating various ailments.

Another prominent figure with the name Caira was Caira O'Donnell, a 17th-century Irish poet and bardic composer. Her works, which celebrated the culture and traditions of her people, were highly regarded and helped preserve the rich literary heritage of Ireland during a turbulent period in its history.

In the 19th century, Caira McNeill was a notable Irish-American suffragist and activist for women's rights. She was actively involved in the women's suffrage movement in the United States and worked tirelessly to secure the right to vote for women.

Caira Flanagan, born in 1892, was an Irish-American labor organizer and union leader. She played a crucial role in advocating for better working conditions and fair wages for factory workers, particularly in the textile industry, during the early 20th century.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Caira. While the name may have fallen out of widespread use in modern times, its rich cultural heritage and historical significance remain an important part of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Caira over time

The chart below shows babies named Caira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Caira, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Caira
02457199620102024

Decades

Caira by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Caira was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4398 19 4
2010s #5298 24 7
2000s #3322 47 9
1990s #3386 15 4

Related

Names similar to Caira

FAQ

Caira: questions and answers

How popular is the name Caira in the UK right now?

In 2024, Caira was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Caira most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 7 babies registered as Caira in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Caira?

Of Irish origin, meaning "follower" or "descendant".

How many people are called Caira in the UK?

A total of 105 babies have been registered as Caira across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.