"whole, universal"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Irma
Pronunciation: [ ERM-uh ]
Does Irma flow with your last name?
A powerful Germanic vintage with universal meaning
German
Spanish
Italian
American
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Strong
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"war goddess (Irminsul mythology)"
Origin: Old Saxon
Language: German
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Things to Know About This Name
- Hurricane Irma (2017) may be associated with destruction in some communities
The Story of Irma
Irma is a short form of Germanic names containing the element 'ermen' or 'irmin,' meaning 'whole' or 'universal' — the same root that gives us Emma and Erma. In Germanic mythology, Irminsul was a sacred pillar said to hold up the world, connecting the name to cosmic significance. Irma has been used across German, Spanish, and Italian cultures for centuries, each adding their own phonetic flavoring to this ancient root.
Irma was a top-100 US name from the 1880s through the 1940s, peaking in the 1920s. Like many Germanic-origin names, it fell out of fashion after World War II as parents moved away from German associations. It experienced a brief spike in notoriety (though not popularity) after Hurricane Irma devastated the Caribbean and Florida in September 2017.
In German-speaking cultures, Irma connects to the Irminsul, the great pillar of the world in old Saxon religion. In Spain and Latin America, Irma remains in more common use than in English-speaking countries, associated with strength and completeness.
Historical Record
Irma first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 27,701 babies have been named Irma in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Irma is past its peak , currently ranked #2,608 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Irma was a top-50 US name from 1900-1934, representing the height of German-American cultural influence
- The name shares its Germanic root 'irmin' with the word 'enormous' — from the idea of something all-encompassing and huge
Irma in Other Languages
French
Irma
German
Irma
Italian
Irma
Spanish
Irma
Hungarian
Irma
Popularity Over Time
#2,608
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Irma
I
Irma Thomas
Musician
1941
American R&B and soul singer, 'Soul Queen of New Orleans,' known for 'Time Is on My Side'
I
Irma la Douce Fictional
Other
Fictional Parisian character from the 1963 film of the same name, played by Shirley MacLaine
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,608
- Total SSA Count
- 67
- Cultural Origins
- German Spanish Italian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Irm
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Irma
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Irma is also used as a boy name, ranked #38283.
View Irma as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Irma
What does the name Irma mean?
"whole, universal" (from Germanic). "war goddess (Irminsul mythology)" (from Old Saxon). Irma is a short form of Germanic names containing the element 'ermen' or 'irmin,' meaning 'whole' or 'universal' — the same root that gives us Emma and Erma. In Germanic mythology, Irminsul was a sacred pillar said to hold up the world, connecting the name to cosmic significance. Irma has been used across German, Spanish, and Italian cultures for centuries, each adding their own phonetic flavoring to this ancient root.
What is the origin of the name Irma?
Irma has Germanic, Old Saxon, German, Spanish, Italian, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "whole, universal". In Old Saxon, it means "war goddess (Irminsul mythology)".
Is Irma a boy or girl name?
Irma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2608. As a boy name, it is ranked #38283. Irma is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Irma?
Irma is pronounced ERM-uh.
How popular is the name Irma?
Irma is currently ranked #2608 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Irma?
Common nicknames for Irma include Irm.
What are good middle names for Irma?
Popular middle name pairings include Irma Louise, Irma Mae, Irma Jean, Irma Rose, Irma Grace, and Irma Ann.
What are good sibling names for Irma?
Names that pair well with Irma as siblings include Gertrude, Bertha, Otto, Karl, Hildegard, and Alma.
How many syllables does Irma have?
Irma has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Irma a common or rare name?
Irma is an uncommon name, ranked #2608 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Irma
Irma is a girl name with German, Spanish, Italian, and American origins . The name means "whole, universal" in Germanic .
Is Irma a boy or girl name? Irma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,608 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,283. Irma is more commonly used as a girl name.
Irma is currently ranked #2,608 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Irma has 2 syllables and is pronounced ERM-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Irma include Irm. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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