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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Ira

54 replies

Hippopotas · 19/05/2019 12:37

I really like this name for a boy. What are people’s thoughts?
Pronounced Eye-ra

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PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 20/05/2019 13:58

Gershwin is my first thought.

redhotchill · 20/05/2019 11:08

IRA and his sister ISIS. No

parabailarlabamba · 20/05/2019 10:43

I think it’s a nice name but I automatically pronounced it ‘ear-a’.
I think if you’re in the UK, the association with the IRA will be too big to use. Maybe you could find a different way to spell it?

Strugglingtodomybest · 20/05/2019 01:00

My DS has a friend called Ira. I like the name and assumed he's Jewish. Maybe not afterall then if it's becoming more popular?

I remember Ira from Cybil yourestanding, he was really nice wasn't he? Maybe that's why I like it?

YouBumder · 20/05/2019 00:54

Ira as in Gershwin. I like it.

Exactly this.

I’d be surprised if someone with no Jewish background used it tho

Expressedways · 20/05/2019 00:50

I know it’s a traditional Jewish name but if you are in the UK must people will think IRA. And it’s not much better in the US as it’s a retirement savings account.

trishaG · 20/05/2019 00:44

Irrah - maybe spell it like that ??

MooseBreath · 19/05/2019 22:45

You don't want to be stuck singing Surrey With the Fringe On Top in front of Ira.

yourestandingonmyneck · 19/05/2019 22:20

I think that was the name of one of Cybil Shepherds ex husbands on her sitcom "Cybil"? Haven't seen/thought about that in years, but it was quite a nice name and yes, I think it did have a Jewish vibe.

Having watched it on tv though, I didn't see the spelling. Unfortunately, having seen it written down my first thought was IRA as well. Are there any (legitimate) alternative spellings?

Proseccofuelled · 19/05/2019 21:28

Ivo?

GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 18:20

I didn't think IRA at all - I thought of Ira Gerschwin and Ira Levin, and then I thought "I bet someone on here will think it's a girl's name because it ends in a" (see also Nikita). It does look like the majority of people do think IRA, though - which is only an issue if you're in the UK.

If you're Jewish, I would go for it, but otherwise probably not. I feel it would be a bit like a white British couple calling their son Muhammed.

Fairypiggy · 19/05/2019 17:23

Ha ha, didn’t RTFT properly. Thought Ira was a girls name..

Papellino · 19/05/2019 17:15

A boy called Ida?

Fairypiggy · 19/05/2019 17:13

How about Ida instead?

IPokeBadgers · 19/05/2019 17:10

Sounds like a either a bald Jewish accountant or a terrorist organisation....

Not sure it works if you're in the UK to be honest.

TrixieFranklin · 19/05/2019 17:08

I know one Ira he's 65 and lives in the states.
I can't not think I.R.A when I see it written down.

MrsMeSeeks · 19/05/2019 17:01

I also cut the Welsh girl's name Eira off our list as it sounded too much like Ira! Guess it depends on your frame of reference.

MrsMeSeeks · 19/05/2019 16:59

I love this name! Astonished at the number of people unfamiliar with it. It's very Jewish though, to the point that I'd hesitate to use it as I have no Jewish heritage. Feels a bit weird - like naming a white British boy Jose or something.

meow1989 · 19/05/2019 16:51

We considered it for DS until I pointed out that my family is northern Irish.

cloudymelonade · 19/05/2019 16:39

I like it a lot, Ira Glass is the only Ira I've heard of and he's fab.

Papellino · 19/05/2019 16:31

I'm Irish but my first thought wasn't IRA. I picture an old Jewish man, hanging out with his pals Eli and Morty. Maybe playing chess together Grin

MindyStClaire · 19/05/2019 16:23

I know it as a Jewish man's name, but I'm Irish so just no. IRA here too.

sparklysunflower · 19/05/2019 16:17

I'd say Ee-ra.

Like Iridescent or irrelevant

missmouse101 · 19/05/2019 14:44

I thought it was girls' name when I read it and guessed it was pronounced 'ear-a'. So I'm not too keen!

kimlo · 19/05/2019 14:39

it's a male hebrew name.

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