Ira Unisex

Popularity: #647 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EYE-rah //ˈaɪ.rə//

Origin: Hebrew; Irish

Meaning: Hebrew: 'watchful'; Irish: 'hero'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ira has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word 'iyr,' meaning 'city' or 'watchful.' This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where it is associated with several figures, including Ira, the son of Ikkesh, who was one of King David's mighty warriors, as noted in the Second Book of Samuel. The name transitioned into Greek as 'Ira,' maintaining its original form and meaning, before being adopted into Latin.

From Latin, it made its way into Old French, where it retained its phonetic structure, and eventually entered the English language in the medieval period, likely through the influence of biblical texts and translations such as the King James Bible in the early 17th century. Throughout history, the name Ira has been borne by various notable figures, contributing to its cultural significance.

In the 19th century, it was used by several prominent individuals in the arts and politics, further embedding the name in the cultural fabric of English-speaking societies. The name's biblical origins lend it a sense of gravitas and historical depth, often associated with themes of vigilance and strength, reflective of its meanings in ancient texts.

Culturally, Ira has resonated in various traditions, often symbolizing watchfulness or guardianship. Its simplicity and strong consonantal structure have allowed it to endure across generations.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as 'Irie' have emerged in some contexts, showcasing the name's adaptability while maintaining its core identity. Overall, Ira stands as a name with rich historical roots and cultural associations, reflecting a blend of linguistic evolution and enduring significance.

Famous people named Ira

In this section, you will find notable people named Ira. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ira who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Ira Glass is a radio personality best known for This American Life.

Ira Levin is an author best known for Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, and Deathtrap.

Ira Gershwin was a lyricist best known for his collaborations with George Gershwin on Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, and numerous Broadway musicals.

Ira Kaplan is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Yo La Tengo.

Ira C. Eaker was a United States Army general best known for his leadership during World War II.

Fictional characters named Ira

The following list of fictional characters named Ira is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ira is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. He is a member of the group known as the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, playing a significant role in the story's development.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

IsaacEliNoahLeviMicahAsher

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ira. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

IraidaIreneIsaIvoIlanIrisIlyaIsla

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ira was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ira has ranked as high as #447 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Ira has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ira is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ira was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ira.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 523 301 222
2024 387 233 154
2023 427 266 161
2022 484 288 196
2021 469 301 168
2020 441 289 152
2019 409 252 157
2018 363 216 147
2017 342 214 128
2016 343 218 125
2015 296 199 97
2014 264 160 104
2013 234 156 78
2012 210 150 60
2011 156 110 46
2010 169 131 38
2009 152 127 25
2008 114 98 16
2007 128 111 17
2006 120 102 18
2005 105 94 11
2004 119 107 12
2003 118 105 13
2002 146 137 9
2001 98 88 10
2000 101 101 0
1999 99 99 0
1998 104 96 8
1997 116 108 8
1996 134 123 11
1995 121 112 9
1994 124 109 15
1993 121 109 12
1992 137 129 8
1991 159 148 11
1990 165 151 14
1989 170 158 12
1988 162 148 14
1987 182 176 6
1986 215 197 18
1985 170 161 9
1984 230 211 19
1983 245 233 12
1982 282 256 26
1981 294 276 18
1980 299 282 17
1979 297 282 15
1978 323 307 16
1977 320 306 14
1976 276 264 12
1975 338 322 16
1974 296 276 20
1973 349 317 32
1972 367 347 20
1971 362 337 25
1970 370 349 21
1969 442 411 31
1968 355 334 21
1967 394 374 20
1966 424 399 25
1965 433 408 25
1964 462 419 43
1963 450 415 35
1962 539 501 38
1961 599 552 47
1960 632 599 33
1959 635 597 38
1958 644 604 40
1957 694 638 56
1956 757 703 54
1955 731 680 51
1954 765 708 57
1953 776 728 48
1952 842 760 82
1951 880 811 69
1950 855 797 58
1949 855 790 65
1948 892 823 69
1947 968 884 84
1946 841 780 61
1945 726 658 68
1944 686 614 72
1943 684 618 66
1942 813 760 53
1941 655 604 51
1940 693 625 68
1939 578 526 52
1938 612 554 58
1937 637 576 61
1936 567 501 66
1935 620 550 70
1934 625 570 55
1933 662 579 83
1932 729 661 68
1931 683 619 64
1930 782 702 80
1929 728 654 74
1928 828 728 100
1927 889 792 97
1926 865 785 80
1925 881 788 93
1924 934 834 100
1923 930 831 99
1922 880 792 88
1921 966 878 88
1920 910 829 81
1919 897 817 80
1918 935 862 73
1917 941 857 84
1916 894 820 74
1915 887 812 75
1914 665 605 60
1913 542 479 63
1912 444 394 50
1911 284 236 48
1910 278 233 45
1909 212 175 37
1908 232 196 36
1907 224 196 28
1906 188 151 37
1905 212 169 43
1904 172 144 28
1903 201 167 34
1902 193 156 37
1901 171 142 29
1900 268 218 50
1899 169 138 31
1898 222 195 27
1897 215 180 35
1896 221 190 31
1895 230 207 23
1894 221 206 15
1893 207 181 26
1892 258 231 27
1891 202 179 23
1890 226 209 17
1889 231 207 24
1888 245 222 23
1887 237 215 22
1886 220 198 22
1885 249 235 14
1884 301 284 17
1883 257 239 18
1882 252 244 8
1881 294 286 8
1880 265 249 16

Top States for Ira (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 39
15%
TX 38
15%
NY 21
8%
VA 16
6%
PA 16
6%
NC 13
5%
NJ 12
5%
OH 12
5%
FL 11
4%
MO 10
4%
IN 9
4%
CO 9
4%
OK 8
3%
MI 8
3%
GA 7
3%
MN 7
3%
OR 6
2%
IL 5
2%
KY 5
2%