Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ira
UnisexHebrew· “watchful”
- Meaning
- watchful
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EYE-ruh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #822
- US babies 2025
- 301
- Best rank
- #57 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Ira
Ira is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “watchful”.
Ira is a Hebrew name usually explained as watchful or vigilant. In the Hebrew Bible, Ira is the name of a priest or chief minister to King David and of several of David's warriors. The name was taken up by English Puritans and became a steady choice in nineteenth-century America. Lyricist Ira Gershwin, who wrote many classic songs with his brother George, is a famous bearer, as is radio host Ira Glass. Ira is short, gentle and scholarly, and it is used for both boys and girls. In Russian, Ira is a nickname for Irina.
Popularity over time
Ira has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 123 different years. Its best national rank was #57 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 884 were named Ira. In 2025, 301 babies were named Ira, and it ranked #822 nationally. That is 51% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #170 in 1920, #231 in 1950, #506 in 1980, #1,284 in 2000, #1,313 in 2010, and #822 in 2025. Of the 55,410 US boys named Ira since records began, 14% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 7,156 babies. Since 2010, 3,484 more have been named Ira.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Tommie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ira ranked highest in Vermont, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Gender, sound and spelling
Ira is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 35% of US babies named Ira were girls and 65% were boys.
Ira is usually pronounced EYE-ruh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with I and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Ira
A few middle names that flow with Ira: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ira
Similar names
Sara Girl
SEH-ruh
“princess” · Hebrew
#198
Mara Girl
MAHR-uh
“bitter” · Hebrew
#589
Debora Girl
DEHB-ur-uh
“variant of Deborah, bee” · Hebrew
#2,336
Ezra Boy
EZ-ruh
“help” · Hebrew
#20
Mary Girl
MEH-ree
“uncertain; often said bitter or beloved” · Hebrew
#125
Zara Girl
ZAHR-uh
“radiant, or form of Sarah” · Arabic
#212
Marie Girl
muh-REE
“uncertain; French form of Mary” · French
#618
Judith Girl
JOO-dith
“woman of Judea” · Hebrew
#790
Amos Boy
AY-muhs
“carried, borne by God” · Hebrew
#730
Reuben Boy
ROO-buhn
“behold, a son” · Hebrew
#889
Ruthie Girl
ROO-thee
“pet form of Ruth; possibly friend” · English
#781
Leora Girl
lee-OR-uh
“light for me” · Hebrew
#1,356
Lists that include Ira
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ira mean?
Ira is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “watchful”.
What is the origin of the name Ira?
Ira has Hebrew roots. Ira is a Hebrew name usually explained as watchful or vigilant.
Is Ira a popular name?
Yes. Ira ranked #822 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ira a boy or girl name?
Ira is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 35% of US babies named Ira were girls and 65% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ira?
Ira is usually pronounced EYE-ruh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings