"peace"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Irina
Pronunciation: [ ihr-EEN-uh ]
Girl Name
#1,569 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
The Slavic goddess of peace — elegant and timeless
Russian
Greek
Slavic
Eastern European
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Vintage
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"peaceful one"
Origin: Russian
Language: Russian
The Story of Irina
Irina is the Russian and Slavic form of Irene, from the Greek 'Eirene' meaning peace. Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace, one of the Horae (seasons and social order). The name spread through the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Orthodox Christianity into Slavic cultures, where it became enormously popular. It remains one of the most classic and widespread names across Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
Irina has been a consistent top-20 name in Russia for over a century. In Western countries, it became more familiar through Russian emigration, figure skaters, tennis players, and models — notably Irina Shayk and Irina Slutskaya — giving it an image of both elegance and athletic strength.
In Eastern Orthodox tradition, Saint Irene of Thessalonica was martyred in the 4th century and is venerated broadly across Orthodox Christianity. The name carries both ancient Greek prestige and deep Slavic cultural rootedness.
Fun Facts
- Eirene, the Greek original, was personified as the goddess of peace holding a cornucopia — one of the Horae alongside Eunomia and Dike
- Irina has been in the top 10 most popular names in Russia almost continuously since the 1940s
Irina in Other Languages
Greek
Ειρήνη
Russian
Ирина
Serbian
Ирина
Spanish
Irina
Bulgarian
Ирина
Famous People Named Irina
I
Irina Shayk
Other
1986
Russian supermodel and actress, one of the world's highest-paid models
I
Irina Slutskaya
Athlete
1979
Russian figure skater, two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medalist
I
Irina Derevko Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional Russian spy character from the TV series Alias (2001-2006), played by Lena Olin
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,569
- Total SSA Count
- 135
- Cultural Origins
- Russian Greek Slavic Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ira
Rena
Pairs Well With
Irina Sofia
Irina Natasha
Irina Valentina
Irina Elena
Irina Rose
Irina Marie
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Irina
What does the name Irina mean?
"peace" (from Greek). "peaceful one" (from Russian). Irina is the Russian and Slavic form of Irene, from the Greek 'Eirene' meaning peace. Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace, one of the Horae (seasons and social order). The name spread through the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Orthodox Christianity into Slavic cultures, where it became enormously popular. It remains one of the most classic and widespread names across Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
What is the origin of the name Irina?
Irina has Greek, Russian, Slavic, and Eastern European origins. In Greek, it means "peace". In Russian, it means "peaceful one".
Is Irina a boy or girl name?
Irina is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Irina?
Irina is pronounced ihr-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Irina?
Irina is currently ranked #1569 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Irina?
Common nicknames for Irina include Ira and Rena.
What are good middle names for Irina?
Popular middle name pairings include Irina Sofia, Irina Natasha, Irina Valentina, Irina Elena, Irina Rose, and Irina Marie.
What are good sibling names for Irina?
Names that pair well with Irina as siblings include Natasha, Dmitri, Tatiana, Pavel, Anya, Mikhail, and Katya.
How many syllables does Irina have?
Irina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Irina a common or rare name?
Irina is an uncommon name, ranked #1569 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Irina
Irina is a girl name with Russian, Greek, Slavic, and Eastern European origins . The name means "peace" in Greek .
Irina is currently ranked #1,569 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Irina has 3 syllables and is pronounced ihr-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Irina include Ira and Rena. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.