Irish boy name
Lir Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Lir means sea. From Irish ler, meaning sea, the name of the sea god and father in the Children of Lir.
Lir is the father of the four children turned into swans in the tragic tale of the Children of Lir, one of the best-known stories of Irish mythology. The name is connected with the Irish word for sea, and Lir is the father of the sea god Manannán in some traditions. Lir is short and simple, with a soft sound that works across languages, and the name conveys a sense of the ocean. It is rarely used, which makes it feel special, and it suits a family drawn to the sea, to swans or to old stories of love and loss.
Computer-generated voice, as a guide to pronunciation.
Variants of Lir
LerLeerLear
Lir popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2024 Lir ranked #559 in Ireland (5 babies) and #9,427 in the US (8 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lir mean?
Lir means "sea". From Irish ler, meaning sea, the name of the sea god and father in the Children of Lir.
How do you pronounce Lir?
Lir is pronounced LEER.
What is the origin of Lir?
Lir is of Irish origin. From Irish ler, meaning sea, the name of the sea god and father in the Children of Lir.