The first name Ira

In 2025, 39 girls were named Ira, making it the 894th most popular girls’ name.

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Ira with other names.

In 2025, 301 boys born in the United States were named Ira, the 822nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1947, when 884 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Ira Levin
  American novelist, playwright (1929–2007)
• Bert Ira Gordon
  American filmmaker (1922–2023)
• Ira S. Bowen
  American physicist and astronomer (1898–1973)
• Ira Remsen
  American chemist (1846–1927)
• Ira Sachs
  American filmmaker (born 1965)
• Ira Murchison
  American athletic competitor (1933–1994)
• Ira Aldridge
  American-British stage actor (1807-1867)
• Ira D. Sankey
  American gospel singer and composer (1840-1908)
• Ira Davenport
  American track athlete, baseball player, American football player and coach (1887–1941)
• Ira Newborn
  American musician, actor, orchestrator and composer, born 1949
• Ira Glass
  American radio personality, born 1959
• Ira Gitler
  American sports journalist and music critic (1928-2019)

• Jordan
• Toby
• Eden
• Micah
• Zion
• Ariel
• Ari
• Marion
• Shiloh
• Michal
• Elisha
• Azariah
• Elie
• Salem
• Avi
• Yael

All 346 names of Hebrew origin

What does the name Ira mean?

Ira means “watchful” in Hebrew.

What is the origin of the name Ira?

From a Hebrew name עִירָא ('ira), from a word meaning "watchful".

How popular is the name Ira?

In 2025, 39 girls born in England and Wales were named Ira, ranking 894th.

Is Ira a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 62,535 US babies named Ira since 1880, 11% were girls and 89% boys.

When was Ira most popular?

1947 in the United States, when 884 babies were named Ira, its highest rank at 216th.

How do you pronounce Ira?

Ira is /ˈaɪɹə/, 2 syllables.