Ira vs May

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ira

Boy #978 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"city of God (alternate interpretation)"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#978
Total SSA Count
230
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ira →

May

Girl #1,351 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"goddess of spring, month of May"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English American French German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,351
Total SSA Count
168
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for May →

Popularity Comparison

Ira Rank #978
May Rank #1,351

Ira is more popular, ranked #978 vs #1351 for May.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ira ___

  • Ira James
  • Ira Michael
  • Ira David
  • Ira Thomas
  • Ira Elliott

May ___

  • May Rose
  • May Eleanor
  • May Josephine
  • May Beatrice
  • May Louise
  • May Frances

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ira

Vera Saul Esther Leon Clara

If you choose May

June Pearl Iris Theodore August

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ira or May more popular?

Ira is more popular, ranked #978 compared to May at #1351 in the United States.

What do Ira and May mean?

Ira means "city of God (alternate interpretation)" (Hebrew origin). May means "goddess of spring, month of May" (Latin origin).

Are Ira and May boy or girl names?

Ira is primarily a boy name. May is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

May vs Ira Ira vs Thatcher Ira vs Tony Ira vs Yeshua Ira vs Dimitri
← Full profile: Ira ← Full profile: May Browse all baby names