Meera

What does Meera mean?

Meera is closely associated with Mirabai, the sixteenth-century devotional poet. Wiktionary records the poet and Hindi given name. ‘Ocean’ comes from a separate Sanskrit headword, mīra, recorded by Monier-Williams. That word is documented, but the cited sources do not establish it as the origin of the poet's name. The Mirabai association and the proposed ocean meaning should therefore remain distinct, rather than being presented as a single proven etymology.

Source: Wiktionary, मीरा. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

मीरा is read mee-raa, in two syllables with long vowels. Mira is an alternative Roman spelling, while Meera makes the first vowel's length visible. The Sanskrit word मीर, mīra, offered for the ocean connection has a shorter final vowel than the name मीरा.

Also spelled Mira.

Meera in tradition and story

Mirabai is remembered as a Rajput princess and bhakti poet devoted to Krishna. Her songs in Rajasthani and Braj remain part of devotional singing, and accounts of her life have inspired later literature and film.