Irving

At a Glance: Name: Irving – Meaning: from the Scottish surname/place name Irvine, likely meaning 'green' or 'fresh river' (from Celtic roots for 'fresh' + 'river') – Origin: Scottish (surname) – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: ER-ving

---

Irving traces back to the Scottish surname Irvine, generally understood to mean 'green' or 'fresh river,' drawing on Celtic roots for 'fresh' and 'river.' You may see it defined online as 'sea friend' or simply 'green water,' but that 'sea friend' reading seems to be a mix-up with the separate name Erwin or Ervin — the surname-based 'fresh river' origin is what's actually documented. If you're drawn to a name with Scottish roots tied to water and landscape, Irving fits that brief precisely.

Meaning & Origin of Irving

Meaning: From the Scottish surname/place name Irvine, likely meaning 'green' or 'fresh river' (from Celtic roots for 'fresh' + 'river').

Origin: Scottish (surname).

A common claim: Irving is sometimes said to mean 'green water' or, less accurately, 'sea friend' Actually: 'Sea friend' appears to be a mix-up with a different name (possibly Erwin/Ervin). Irving actually derives from the Scottish surname Irvine, from Celtic roots for 'fresh' and 'river,' likely meaning 'green' or 'fresh river.'

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Irving

Phonetic: ER-ving   IPA: /ˈɜːrvɪŋ/

Popularity of Irving

Irving peaked at #93 in the U.S. in 1911, when 431 baby boys were given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen to #1617, with just 105 boys named Irving, based on Social Security Administration records covering 1880 through 2024.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Irving Name Art

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

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Eloisa
• Constantine
• Chester
• Everette
• Sybil
• Vernon

FAQ

What does the name Irving mean?

From the Scottish surname/place name Irvine, likely meaning ‘green’ or ‘fresh river’ (from Celtic roots for ‘fresh’ + ‘river’). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Irving)

How do you pronounce Irving?

Irving is pronounced ER-ving (IPA: /ˈɜːrvɪŋ/).

Is Irving a popular name right now?

Irving peaked at #93 in 1911 and is ranked #1617 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

More Baby Name Inspiration

• Check any name’s popularity history
• Take the naming-style quiz
• Make art for a different name