Unisex name · Hebrew
Ira
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: watchfulIra is a gender-neutral name that comes from Hebrew and means "watchful". It is used in English, Hebrew and Russian.
- Meaning
- Watchful
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Unisex
- US rank
- #1086 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Ira
As a boy's name, Ira comes from Hebrew and means "watchful". It is used in English and Hebrew.
As a girl's name, Ira is of Greek origin: short form of Irina, peace. It is used in Russian.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Ira on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Ira on 4 lists.
“Watchful; Hebrew. Priest of King David”
From Biblical names, rare biblical boy names
“Watchful; Hebrew. A priest of King David”
From Old man names, old fashioned Bible names for boys
“Short for Irina: peace; Greek”
From Russian girl names, more Russian pet names for girls
“Latin for wrath or anger, short and fierce”
From Seven deadly sins demons names, names from the Latin sins
How popular is Ira?
In 2025, 222 girls and 301 boys in the US were named Ira.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #1,086
- 222 babies, 138 per million girls
- Best rank
- #426 in 1880
- Most babies: 222 in 2025
- Babies since 1880
- At least 7,125
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 131 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 115 per million |
| 1900s | 123 per million |
| 1910s | 80 per million |
| 1920s | 75 per million |
| 1930s | 62 per million |
| 1940s | 45 per million |
| 1950s | 29 per million |
| 1960s | 17 per million |
| 1970s | 12 per million |
| 1980s | 9 per million |
| 1990s | 5 per million |
| 2000s | 7 per million |
| 2010s | 56 per million |
| 2020s | 108 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,708 | #1,679 | #1,491 | #1,426 | #1,435 | #1,331 | #1,231 | #1,399 | #1,438 | #1,086 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #822
- 301 babies, 176 per million boys
- Best rank
- #57 in 1881
- Most babies: 884 in 1947
- Babies since 1880
- At least 55,410
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 2,172 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 1,679 per million |
| 1900s | 1,263 per million |
| 1910s | 916 per million |
| 1920s | 718 per million |
| 1930s | 552 per million |
| 1940s | 481 per million |
| 1950s | 348 per million |
| 1960s | 229 per million |
| 1970s | 188 per million |
| 1980s | 114 per million |
| 1990s | 61 per million |
| 2000s | 54 per million |
| 2010s | 96 per million |
| 2020s | 162 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #952 | #968 | #961 | #873 | #803 | #810 | #846 | #880 | #972 | #822 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Ira
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- IdaWork, industrious (Germanic, girl)
- IrmaWhole, great (Germanic, girl)
- IaraLady of the water (Tupi, girl)
- IgaShort form of Jadwiga or Ignacja (Polish, girl)
- IrajIranian (Avestan, boy)
- IsaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- IsraNight journey (Arabic, girl)
- IrisA rainbow (Greek, girl)
- IanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- CaseyVigilant, watchful (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- GreerWatchful, alert (Greek, girl)
- GregorWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
- GregorioWatchful (Greek, boy)
- EranWatchful, vigilant (Hebrew, boy)
- GréagóirWatchful (Greek, boy)
- GrégoireWatchful (Greek, boy)
- GregoryWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
- GrigoriosWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
- GrigoryWatchful (Greek, boy)
Middle names for Ira
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- AnnaFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- EvaLiving, life (Hebrew, girl)
- MiriamForm of Mary, meaning uncertain; perhaps Egyptian beloved (Hebrew, girl)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- SarahPrincess, noblewoman (Hebrew, girl)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
Ira: common questions
What does the name Ira mean?
Ira comes from Hebrew and means "watchful". It also has another origin: "short form of Irina, peace" from Greek.
Is Ira a boy or girl name?
Ira is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 222 girls and 301 boys in the US were named Ira, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Ira come from?
Ira comes from Hebrew and means "watchful". Today it is used in English, Hebrew and Russian.
How popular is the name Ira?
Ira ranked #1,086 in the US in 2025, with 222 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Ira?
Names spelled like Ira include Ida, Irma, Iara, Iga and Iraj.
What middle names go with Ira?
Middle names that flow well with Ira include Delphine, Gemma, Grayson, Hazel and Henry. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.