"green river, fresh water"
Origin: Brythonic Celtic
Language: Scottish
Irving
Pronunciation: [ ERV-ihng ]
Does Irving flow with your last name?
A Scots-born name beloved in early America
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Irving
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Meaning & Origin
"from the River Irvine"
Origin: Scottish place name
Language: English
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The Story of Irving
Irving derives from the Scottish town of Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland, whose name comes from the River Irvine. The river's name is believed to derive from the Brythonic Celtic words for 'green river' or 'fresh water.' The surname Irving transferred to use as a first name in the 19th century, particularly popular among Jewish-American families in the early 20th century as an assimilating anglicization of Hebrew names like Israel or Yitzhak.
Irving peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1910s-1940s, when it was a common name among immigrant Jewish communities seeking Americanized names. It declined sharply after World War II as naming conventions changed. Famous bearers include composer Irving Berlin and writer Washington Irving.
In American Jewish culture of the early 20th century, Irving was one of the most common anglicizations, chosen because it began with the same letter as traditional names like Israel or Itzak while sounding thoroughly American. The name is now closely associated with the Greatest Generation.
Historical Record
Irving first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 11,385 babies have been named Irving in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Irving is past its peak , currently ranked #1,618 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Irving Berlin, born Israel Beilin, chose this name as his American identity and wrote 'God Bless America' and 'White Christmas'
- Washington Irving is the father of American literature, author of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'
- The town of Irving, Texas was named after Washington Irving by its founder
Irving in Other Languages
Hebrew
ישראל (Israel, origin)
Yiddish
Irving
Scottish Gaelic
Irvine
Popularity Over Time
#1,618
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Irving
I
Irving Penn
Artist
1917
Pioneering American fashion and portrait photographer
I
Irving Berlin
Musician
1888
Russian-American composer who wrote 'White Christmas,' 'God Bless America,' and over 1,500 songs
W
Washington Irving
Writer
1783
American author considered the first great American writer, creator of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,618
- Total SSA Count
- 105
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English American Jewish-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Irv
Irvy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Irving
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Irving is also used as a girl name, ranked #17130.
View Irving as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Irving
What does the name Irving mean?
"green river, fresh water" (from Brythonic Celtic). "from the River Irvine" (from Scottish place name). Irving derives from the Scottish town of Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland, whose name comes from the River Irvine. The river's name is believed to derive from the Brythonic Celtic words for 'green river' or 'fresh water.' The surname Irving transferred to use as a first name in the 19th century, particularly popular among Jewish-American families in the early 20th century as an assimilating anglicization of Hebrew names like Israel or Yitzhak.
What is the origin of the name Irving?
Irving has Brythonic Celtic, Scottish place name, Scottish, English, American, and Jewish-American origins. In Brythonic Celtic, it means "green river, fresh water". In Scottish place name, it means "from the River Irvine".
Is Irving a boy or girl name?
Irving is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1618. As a girl name, it is ranked #17130. Irving is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Irving?
Irving is pronounced ERV-ihng.
How popular is the name Irving?
Irving is currently ranked #1618 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Irving?
Common nicknames for Irving include Irv and Irvy.
What are good middle names for Irving?
Popular middle name pairings include Irving Samuel, Irving Harold, Irving Leonard, Irving Bernard, Irving Walter, Irving Arthur, and Irving Morris.
What are good sibling names for Irving?
Names that pair well with Irving as siblings include Milton, Howard, Sylvia, Dorothy, Ethel, Murray, and Shirley.
How many syllables does Irving have?
Irving has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Irving a common or rare name?
Irving is an uncommon name, ranked #1618 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Irving?
Are there other spellings for Irving?
Related spellings include Irvin.
About the Name Irving
Irving is a boy name with Scottish, English, American, and Jewish-American origins . The name means "green river, fresh water" in Brythonic Celtic .
Is Irving a boy or girl name? Irving is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,618 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,130. Irving is more commonly used as a boy name.
Irving is currently ranked #1,618 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Irving has 2 syllables and is pronounced ERV-ihng, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Irving include Irv and Irvy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Irving include Irvin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis