Ira

At a Glance

Meaning

A homograph of two distinct traditions: Hebrew Ira (male), meaning 'watchful, alert'; and Russian/Slavic Ira (female), a diminutive of Irina/Irene, meaning 'peace'

Origin

Hebrew (male) / Russian-Slavic (female, from Irina)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

EYE-ruhListen

Ira is pronounced EYE-ruh, and it's actually two names in one: in Hebrew tradition it's a boy's name meaning 'watchful, alert,' while in Russian and Slavic tradition it's a girl's name, a diminutive of Irina or Irene, meaning 'peace.' Here it's treated as a boy's name with a vintage, clean, modern feel. If you like a short, historic name that carries more than one story, Ira is worth a closer look.

Meaning & Origin of Ira

Meaning: A homograph of two distinct traditions: Hebrew Ira (male), meaning 'watchful, alert'; and Russian/Slavic Ira (female), a diminutive of Irina/Irene, meaning 'peace'.

Origin: Hebrew (male) / Russian-Slavic (female, from Irina).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ira

Popularity of Ira

Ira peaked at #57 in 1881, when 286 babies were given the name, and has since drifted way down the list — by 2024 it ranked #975 with 230 babies, based on Social Security Administration data spanning 1880 to 2024.

Names Like Ira

These names share Ira’s style, era or origin.

• Aaron
• Abner
• Abram
• Amos
• Asa
• Benjamin

FAQ

What does the name Ira mean?

A homograph of two distinct traditions: Hebrew Ira (male), meaning ‘watchful, alert’; and Russian/Slavic Ira (female), a diminutive of Irina/Irene, meaning ‘peace’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ira?

Ira is pronounced EYE-ruh (IPA: /ˈaɪrə/).

Is Ira a popular name right now?

Ira peaked at #57 in 1881 and is ranked #975 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Ira Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ira, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.