Ira
Ira is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Watchful or full-grown.
Origin and history
Ira is a traditional biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'watchful' or 'full-grown'. Historically popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it remains an established vintage choice today. Modern parents often favor it for its short, two-syllable, classic sound.
Popularity in the United States
55,410 babies in the United States have been named Ira since 1880. It ranks #470 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #806.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.4 %)
- TX (8.3 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- GA (4.5 %)
- IL (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,379 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,916 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,714 |
| 1910-1920 | 6,115 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,911 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,838 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,156 |
| 1950-1960 | 7,026 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,412 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,107 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,098 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,184 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,070 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,806 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,678 |
Famous people named Ira
- Ira Gershwin: lyricist, songwriter
- Ira Glass: radio host, producer
- Ira Levin: author, playwright
Fun facts
- Ira appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of King David's chief ministers.
- The name was a mainstay in the top 100 U.S. boys' names during the late 1800s.