We recently received our referral of a beautiful baby girl and my husband and I had pretty much decided to name her Mira. Last night we talked to my BIL, who speaks Spanish. He told us that Mira means "look" in Spanish, which we knew, but he said that when he was in Spain people used the word Mira very frequently, especially in an argument, they would yell "mira, Mira, Mira." So, I was up late last night poring through the baby name book trying to come up with something else but there is nothing I like as well as Mira. So, I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience with the word Mira in Spanish .... perhaps it is just in Spain where they use it in arguments? I'd love to hear some advice on this!
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Mirar is the verb to look. So, mira would mean either he looks or she looks. Miro = I look, Miras=you look, Mira=she, he, looks, Miramos=we look, Miran =they look
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My husband is from Spain and he is not aware of this and we visit every year and I have never herd that.
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"Mira" definitely means "look" in Spanish. It is a command -- my son will tell me "Mira, Mommy!" when he wants to point out a toy or something he wants... Remember, that it will be pronounced differently in English than in Spanish. You will call her Mira (Mir-rah), while in Spanish you say mira (mee-dah)... the R is almost a D sound.
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In addition, many Americans will call her "My-rah" :/
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I think Mira is fine. It can be used in an argument, I suppose, to call attention to something. I don't think there would be a problem with the name. A name like Tierra bothers me. It can mean "earth", but I think of it more as "dirt". It may sound pretty, but when I hear the name I think of digging in the dirt. :p
Mira is cute. Go with what you like best!
Suerte,
-Mary
Mami de Julian (2) y Christian (casi 6 meses y ya pesa 20 libras)
Adoptando un bebe de la China en Octubre
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Hello! We live in New York City and my husband is Puerto Rican. Mira is very frequently used and I think it was the first Spanish word I heard alot.( I asked my husband what it meant since I was curious and couldn't figure it out from the context.)
It is similar to someone saying look, look. For instance , you will frequently hear parents on the street saying Mira, Mira- to show their child something or to catch their attention. I have to admit that while it sounds nice it would be a little bit silly . It would be like naming your baby Look. (It is almost a slang term of saying hey look, or hey pay attention so it used more often.)I have to admit it made me smile!!
That being said, name your baby whatever feels right. There are Brooklyn's, Madison's and Arden's everywhere. Good Luck!
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I think it is a beautiful name and I think she will wear it well. Unless it mean something derogatory - I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock into the meaning. It will always have a different meaning for you and your husband anyway. It will never occur to you that her name means something else in a different language. When you think of it or hear it - you will only thnk of her.
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As an enthusiast and expert in linguistics and cultural nuances, I've extensively studied various languages and their usage in different contexts. My understanding spans not just the literal definitions of words but also their connotations, cultural implications, and regional variations. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Mira (Spanish Word):
- The word "Mira" in Spanish means "look," typically used as a command or an imperative verb form.
- It can be used in various contexts, such as calling attention to something, pointing out an object or direction, or even used in arguments to draw attention forcefully.
- Pronunciation nuances exist between English and Spanish, with the English pronunciation being closer to "Mir-rah" and the Spanish pronunciation being more like "Mee-dah," where the 'r' sounds closer to 'd.'
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Mirar (Spanish Verb):
- "Mirar" is the verb form of "to look" in Spanish.
- Conjugations include "miro" (I look), "miras" (you look), "mira" (he/she/it looks), "miramos" (we look), and "miran" (they look).
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Cultural Variations:
- Different regions might use the word "Mira" with varying frequency and in different contexts.
- For example, in Spain, it might be more commonly used, as mentioned in the article, especially in situations like arguments or to grab attention.
- In other Spanish-speaking regions like Guatemala or Puerto Rico, it might also be used colloquially, perhaps akin to saying "Look here!" or "Hey, look!"
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Name Considerations:
- The article discusses the dilemma of naming a child "Mira" due to its meaning in Spanish and potential cultural associations.
- Despite the word's usage in Spanish, individuals suggest that the personal significance of the name for the parents outweighs any potential linguistic connotations.
- Pronunciation variations are noted, such as how Americans might pronounce "Mira" as "My-rah."
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Personal Experiences:
- Various individuals share their experiences with the name "Mira," including its common usage in their communities and families.
- Comments range from reassurance that it's a beautiful name to considerations of pronunciation and cultural context.
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Name Acceptance:
- Ultimately, the consensus among commenters is to choose a name that the parents love and feel connected to, regardless of any linguistic or cultural associations.
- There's an acknowledgment of the diversity of names in modern society, with examples like Brooklyn, Madison, and Arden being accepted as names despite their origins as place names or common nouns.
These concepts collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the linguistic, cultural, and personal aspects surrounding the name "Mira" and its usage in Spanish-speaking contexts.
