"city of God (alternate interpretation)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Ira
Pronunciation: [ EYER-uh ]
Does Ira flow with your last name?
Crisp and ancient — a watchful name with creative legacy
Jewish
American
British
Vintage
Classic
Minimalist
Literary
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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.
Historical Record
Ira first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 22,075 babies have been named Ira in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ira is past its peak , currently ranked #978 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#978
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ira
I
Ira Glass
Entertainer
1959
American public radio host and creator of 'This American Life,' the most popular podcast in the United States
I
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
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ira
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ira is also used as a girl name, ranked #1438.
View Ira as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Ira?
Are there other spellings for Ira?
Related spellings include Iram.
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.
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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