"peace"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Irena
Pronunciation: [ ihr-AYN-uh ]
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A name of divine peace from the Greek goddess Eirene
Polish
Czech
Slovak
Slovenian
Croatian
Serbian
Russian
Greek
Classic
Elegant
Sophisticated
Traditional
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"tranquility, serenity"
Origin: Greek mythological
Language: English
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The Story of Irena
Irena is an Eastern and Central European variant of Irene, derived from the ancient Greek 'Eiréne' (Εἰρήνη), meaning 'peace.' In Greek mythology, Eirene was one of the three Horai (goddesses of the seasons) and specifically the goddess of peace, depicted carrying a cornucopia and the scepter of peace. The name was borne by several Byzantine empresses, including Irene of Athens who became the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire outright in 797 AD.
Irena became widespread across Eastern Europe following the Byzantine Empire's influence on the region and the spread of Orthodox Christianity. It remains a classic name throughout Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, and Russia, where it has been consistently used for over a millennium.
Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who saved 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust, is one of the most celebrated bearers of this name. Her courage became symbolic of the name's meaning—peace through courageous action. The name is deeply embedded in Slavic cultural identity.
Historical Record
Irena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,410 babies have been named Irena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Irena is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,195 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Irena Sendler saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007
- The goddess Eirene appears on ancient Greek coins holding the infant Plutus (god of wealth), symbolizing prosperity through peace
- Byzantine Empress Irene of Athens (752–803) was the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire
Irena in Other Languages
Czech
Irena
Greek
Ειρήνη (Eirene)
French
Irène
Polish
Irena
Italian
Irene
Russian
Ирина (Irina)
Spanish
Irene
Popularity Over Time
#4,195
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Irena
I
Irena Szewińska
Athlete
1946
Polish sprinter and long jumper, one of the greatest female track athletes in history with seven Olympic medals across f...
Polish sprinter and long jumper, one of the greatest female track athletes in history with seven Olympic medals across four Games
I
Irena Sendler
Humanitarian
1910
Polish social worker who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust; nominated for the Nobe...
Polish social worker who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust; nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007
E
Eirene Fictional
Other
Greek goddess of peace, one of the three Horai (goddesses of the seasons); depicted carrying a cornucopia and the infant...
Greek goddess of peace, one of the three Horai (goddesses of the seasons); depicted carrying a cornucopia and the infant Plutus
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,195
- Total SSA Count
- 34
- Cultural Origins
- Polish Czech Slovak Slovenian Croatian Serbian Russian Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ira
Rena
Rina
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Greek heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Czech heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Irena
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Irena
What does the name Irena mean?
"peace" (from Greek). "tranquility, serenity" (from Greek mythological). Irena is an Eastern and Central European variant of Irene, derived from the ancient Greek 'Eiréne' (Εἰρήνη), meaning 'peace.' In Greek mythology, Eirene was one of the three Horai (goddesses of the seasons) and specifically the goddess of peace, depicted carrying a cornucopia and the scepter of peace. The name was borne by several Byzantine empresses, including Irene of Athens who became the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire outright in 797 AD.
What is the origin of the name Irena?
Irena has Greek, Greek mythological, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, and Russian origins. In Greek, it means "peace". In Greek mythological, it means "tranquility, serenity".
Is Irena a boy or girl name?
Irena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Irena?
Irena is pronounced ihr-AYN-uh.
How popular is the name Irena?
Irena is currently ranked #4195 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Irena?
Common nicknames for Irena include Ira, Rena, and Rina.
What are good middle names for Irena?
Popular middle name pairings include Irena Rose, Irena Marie, Irena Sofia, Irena Helena, Irena Valentina, and Irena Anastasia.
What are good sibling names for Irena?
Names that pair well with Irena as siblings include Zora, Marta, Pavel, Stefan, Vera, Milena, and Teodora.
How many syllables does Irena have?
Irena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Irena a common or rare name?
Irena is an uncommon name, ranked #4195 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Irena?
Are there other spellings for Irena?
Related spellings include Irene.
About the Name Irena
Irena is a girl name with Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, Russian, and Greek origins . The name means "peace" in Greek .
Irena is currently ranked #4,195 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Irena has 3 syllables and is pronounced ihr-AYN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Irena include Ira, Rena, and Rina. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Irena include Irene . 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