Moscow authorities recorded an increase in the number of babies named Mira during 2026, coinciding with the rise of young Russian tennis star Mira Andreeva on the world stage.
According to data from the Moscow Civil Registry Department, 11 girls have been given the name Mira since the beginning of 2026, including five girls who were born during the summer.
The figure reflects an increase compared to last year, when only five girls with this name were registered in the Russian capital during the same period.
It wasn't just Mira; Moscow also saw two babies born with the name Lionel registered since the beginning of this year.
The Civil Registry Department explained that the name Lionel reached its highest rate in the capital in recent years in 2024, when it was given to 10 newborns, while 8 children bore the name during 2025.
The spread of the two names is linked to the brilliance of two prominent sports stars who bear the same name, as Russian tennis player Mira Andreeva achieved her first Grand Slam title in June 2026, after winning the Roland Garros title in Paris.
A month later, the name of Argentinian Lionel Messi was linked to another global sporting event, after he led his national team to the 2026 World Cup final, before losing to Spain by one goal and settling for the silver medal.
These figures indicate that the names of sports stars can sometimes become a source of inspiration for parents when choosing names for their children, especially after remarkable achievements on the world stage.
