Ira

Pronunciation: [ EYER-uh ]

Boy Name #978 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Crisp and ancient — a watchful name with creative legacy

Jewish American British

Vintage Classic Minimalist Literary

Meaning & Origin

"city of God (alternate interpretation)"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

In Russian, Ira (Ира) is primarily a girl's name — a nickname for Irina — which may cause occasional confusion in international contexts

The Story of Ira

Ira is a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'watchful' or 'alert,' derived from the root meaning to be awake or vigilant. In the Bible, Ira was a mighty warrior in King David's inner circle. The name was adopted broadly in Jewish communities and gained widespread American usage in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when it was popular across religious backgrounds.

Ira was a distinctly popular name in the United States from the 1880s through the mid-20th century, strongly associated with the Jewish-American community. It fell from fashion for decades but has been experiencing a quiet renaissance as parents rediscover short, strong vintage names with literary and musical associations.

Ira holds special cultural significance through Ira Gershwin, the celebrated lyricist whose collaborations with his brother George Gershwin created some of the greatest songs in American musical history. His name gave the two-syllable Ira an indelible association with American artistic genius.

Fun Facts

Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics to 'Someone to Watch Over Me,' 'I Got Rhythm,' and hundreds of other American standards
In the Bible, Ira the Jairite was one of King David's chief priests and advisors

Ira in Other Languages

Hebrew עִירָא

Russian Ира (nickname for Irina)

Yiddish Ira

Famous People Named Ira

Ira Glass

Entertainer

1959

American public radio host and creator of 'This American Life,' the most popular podcast in the United States

Ira Gershwin

Musician

1896

American lyricist who collaborated with brother George Gershwin to create American music classics including 'Rhapsody in...

American lyricist who collaborated with brother George Gershwin to create American music classics including 'Rhapsody in Blue' era songs

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #978
Total SSA Count: 230
Cultural Origins: Jewish American British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Iram #3191

Pairs Well With

Ira James Ira Michael Ira David Ira Thomas Ira Elliott

Sibling Names

Vera Saul Esther Leon Clara

Also a Girl Name

Ira is also used as a girl name, ranked #1438.

View Ira as a girl name →

Similar Names

Otto Milo Carlo Winslow Arlo Arlen Marlow Arlow

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Ira and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Ira sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Ira

What does the name Ira mean?

"city of God (alternate interpretation)" (from Hebrew). Ira is a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'watchful' or 'alert,' derived from the root meaning to be awake or vigilant. In the Bible, Ira was a mighty warrior in King David's inner circle. The name was adopted broadly in Jewish communities and gained widespread American usage in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when it was popular across religious backgrounds.

What is the origin of the name Ira?

Ira has Hebrew, Jewish, American, and British origins. In Hebrew, it means "city of God (alternate interpretation)".

Is Ira a boy or girl name?

Ira is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #978. As a girl name, it is ranked #1438. Ira is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Ira?

Ira is pronounced EYER-uh.

How popular is the name Ira?

Ira is currently ranked #978 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Ira?

Popular middle name pairings include Ira James, Ira Michael, Ira David, Ira Thomas, and Ira Elliott.

What are good sibling names for Ira?

Names that pair well with Ira as siblings include Vera, Saul, Esther, Leon, and Clara.

How many syllables does Ira have?

Ira has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Ira a common or rare name?

Ira is moderately common, ranked #978 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Ira

Ira is a boy name with Jewish, American, and British origins . The name means "city of God (alternate interpretation)" in Hebrew .

Is Ira a boy or girl name? Ira is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #978 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,438. Ira is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ira is currently ranked #978 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ira has 2 syllables and is pronounced EYER-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Ira include Iram . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Ira