Ira vs Shmuel

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 →

Shmuel

Boy #983 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"name of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Israeli Ashkenazi Sephardic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#983
Total SSA Count
229
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Shmulik, Muli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shmuel →

Popularity Comparison

Ira Rank #978
Shmuel Rank #983

Ira is more popular, ranked #978 vs #983 for Shmuel.

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

Shmuel ___

  • Shmuel Yitzchak
  • Shmuel David
  • Shmuel Avraham
  • Shmuel Moshe
  • Shmuel Aaron

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ira

Vera Saul Esther Leon Clara

If you choose Shmuel

Rivka Devorah Leah Moshe Nachman

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 Shmuel more popular?

Ira is more popular, ranked #978 compared to Shmuel at #983 in the United States.

What do Ira and Shmuel mean?

Ira means "city of God (alternate interpretation)" (Hebrew origin). Shmuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ira and Shmuel boy or girl names?

Ira is primarily a boy name. Shmuel is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Ira ← Full profile: Shmuel Browse all baby names