Ira
How to say it: EYE-ruh · /ˈaɪrə/
From Hebrew 'Ira' meaning 'watchful' or 'alert'; a biblical name borne by one of King David's warriors.
Ira was the 763rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 523 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are up about 75% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #719 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #763 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 523 |
| Share of births | 1 in 6,339 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | +75% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #719 |
| In France, 2025 | #4,924 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Rooted back in the 1880s at its height, Ira has faded far since. Still in steady use, it is poised for a small lift.
What goes with it
A brief soft sound with a biblical heritage, Ira feels quiet and watchful. Asa makes a natural companion.
Honouring a Ira in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Ira is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Russian.
In France: #4,924 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Ira
- Ira Losco (born 1981)Maltese singer and songwriter
- Ira Levin (1929–2007)American novelist, playwright
- Ira Trivedi (born 1985)Indian novelist, yogini, entrepreneur, speaker and globe trotter
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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