Tools / Baby names / I

Ira

Boy

Meaning of Ira: Hebrew: 'watchful'

Ira is a boy's name most strongly associated with Hebrew naming. It has 3 letters and 2 syllables, and it is familiar but far from overused — 574th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025 and 2263rd in England & Wales.

US rank 2025

#574

523 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

#2263

10 babies in 2024

US babies since 1880

62,535

First recorded 1880 · peak 1947

Trend

rising

Style: uncommon

Popularity over time

1981: 294 babies1982: 282 babies1983: 245 babies1984: 230 babies1985: 170 babies1986: 215 babies1987: 182 babies1988: 162 babies1989: 170 babies1990: 165 babies19901991: 159 babies1992: 137 babies1993: 121 babies1994: 124 babies1995: 121 babies1996: 134 babies1997: 116 babies1998: 104 babies1999: 99 babies2000: 101 babies20002001: 98 babies2002: 146 babies2003: 118 babies2004: 119 babies2005: 105 babies2006: 120 babies2007: 128 babies2008: 114 babies2009: 152 babies2010: 169 babies20102011: 156 babies2012: 210 babies2013: 234 babies2014: 264 babies2015: 296 babies2016: 343 babies2017: 342 babies2018: 363 babies2019: 409 babies2020: 441 babies20202021: 469 babies2022: 484 babies2023: 427 babies2024: 387 babies2025: 523 babies
US babies named Ira per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 523.

Gender split

89% boys · 11% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Hebrew boys' names

Other names starting with I