Irene
Irene is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Peace.
Origin and history
Irene is derived from the Ancient Greek name Eirene, representing the personification of peace. It was a very popular name in the early 20th century in the United States and remains a recognized classic. Modern usage is steady, carrying a vintage, traditional appeal.
Popularity in the United States
355,462 babies in the United States have been named Irene since 1880. It ranks #104 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #638.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.1 %)
- PA (8.2 %)
- CA (8.1 %)
- TX (6.2 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 4,002 |
| 1890-1900 | 13,621 |
| 1900-1910 | 23,656 |
| 1910-1920 | 68,968 |
| 1920-1930 | 92,836 |
| 1930-1940 | 44,448 |
| 1940-1950 | 31,822 |
| 1950-1960 | 26,978 |
| 1960-1970 | 15,451 |
| 1970-1980 | 8,289 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,104 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,969 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,153 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,465 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,700 |
Famous people named Irene
- Irene Dunne: Actress, Singer
- Irene Joliot-Curie: Chemist, Physicist
- Irene Cara: Singer, Actress
Nicknames
Rena, Rene
Fun facts
- Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace, one of the Horae who controlled the seasons.
- It was borne by several Byzantine empresses, including Irene of Athens who ruled in the 8th century.