
The short answer
Lyra is a feminine name used in Astronomy. Behind the Name describes it this way: "The name of the constellation in the northern sky containing the star Vega. It is said to be shaped after the lyre of Orpheus." It ranked #435 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, the name of the constellation in the northern sky containing the star Vega. It is said to be shaped after the lyre of Orpheus. The entry lists its usage as Astronomy.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Lyra ranked #435 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #435 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Astronomy) and that sit near Lyra in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lyra mean?
Behind the Name does not give Lyra a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: the name of the constellation in the northern sky containing the star Vega.
Is Lyra a popular name?
Lyra ranked #435 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Lyra a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Lyra appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Lyra — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.