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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I name my baby Ira?

244 replies

phonemouse · 28/03/2023 15:44

I live in the uk. We like the name Ira (pronounced Eye-ra).
It's a fairly popular name in the states and Australia but I am aware it has some other connotations.
Do you think honestly that it would be an issue?

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sheeeeeeshh · 29/03/2023 21:33

happysingleversary · 28/03/2023 16:01

I've always liked the name Ira.

I don't see the issue. IRA? I think that's a real longshot.

HOW is that a longshot?! It's exactly the same!

sheeeeeeshh · 29/03/2023 21:31

Irish Republican Army?

FatGirlSwim · 29/03/2023 20:19

Eira is a girls’ name and isn’t pronounced like Ira. It’s more Ay-ra.

Nalupa · 29/03/2023 19:06

Could you maybe change the spelling? Eira?

Ihavehadenoughalready · 29/03/2023 18:51

I named my son Leo despite it being an acronym for law enforcement officer or meaning I read in Spanish. It's a name. Ira is a name. Individual Retirement Account or the other thing, but it's also just a name.

Ihavehadenoughalready · 29/03/2023 18:45

My niece has an Ira. Cute little guy with long blond curls.

You get to name him whatever you like.

OrlandointheWilderness · 29/03/2023 17:47

Lovely name.

ourflagmeansdeath · 29/03/2023 17:43

There is a character called Ira in the TV show Young Sheldon.

I don't know, I just don't like it. It seems a bit feminine to me and people wouldn't know how to spell it. There are nicer names out there.

shutthewindownow · 29/03/2023 15:25

My hairdresser is called that and he is a man in uk

midsomermurderess · 29/03/2023 15:09

I don’t think it’s problematic. I think of Ira Glass of This American Life.

NortieTortie · 29/03/2023 12:10

I'm reading all of the Iyras as Lyra.

Ira is lovely. As a PP said though, could get uncomfortable if they're asked to spell it out.

anxiousatnight · 29/03/2023 11:30

DS2s best friend is Iyra (boy). I think I'd spell it that way, but it's a nice name.

ididntwanttodoit · 29/03/2023 10:20

It's a very nice name, don't overthink it with the spelling. Not everyone will make the association and if they do, so what?

pomegranatelover · 29/03/2023 09:18

I live in Northern Ireland so obviously I wouldn't choose it, and it wouldn't be an advisable name here. But I can understand how someone from a different culture might be called it.

Creepybookworm · 29/03/2023 09:17

The IRA wouldn't have crossed my mind. I know its a name though. It conjures up older Jewish men in America..

SVRT19674 · 29/03/2023 09:06

Oh, I hadn´t thought about the IRA at all, but then i´m Spanish. Ira means "wrath" in Spanish, so not too positive...

bussteward · 29/03/2023 08:59

I didn’t even think of IRA, which is always capitalised. Ira and IRA look completely different to me.

Weallgottachangesometime · 29/03/2023 08:58

ShandaLear · 29/03/2023 05:51

No, you’re calling your kid after a terrorist organisation. Why not just name him Isis and be done with it?

Isis is actually a name. I know one. She isn’t “named after” a terrorist group…she has a name that is common in her families culture. People named Ira aren’t “named after” the IRA ….the name Ira existed before the IRA. Some people are ridiculous. fair enough to avoid it if you are someone where the IRA connection is sensitive but in some places/cultures Ira is a perfectly common and accept and historical name.

Nopinnogin · 29/03/2023 08:24

I know an Ira (not from the UK). That somehow makes it OK as obviously her parents have no idea about our troubles etc.

You, however, do know about them. Lots of people died. Lots of people lived in fear for many years. I would not name my child anything that would trigger pain or bad memories in anyone else. Especially when there are thousands of other less contentious names.

Other posters have given some great suggestions. I would maybe steer away from that name

bignope · 29/03/2023 08:11

I know an Ira and she absolutely hates her name. She's in her late 40s so born very much at the time of the troubles.

The association might not be the same now but honestly, don't do it. There's lots of other lovely names that don't have the same connotations.

HuggingtheHRT · 29/03/2023 07:29

IRA stuff aside. The two Ira's I have known have both been Jewish. Do you have a Jewish connections because it might seem weird otherwise?

unfortunateevents · 29/03/2023 07:16

I only know one Ira, and she is very definitely female, in her 40s. She is half Norwegian, and I assumed that was where the name came from. Had no idea that it is supposed to be a male name.

WhenDovesFly · 29/03/2023 06:15

My friend in the north of England has an Ira. I'm 60 so have lived through all the IRA troubles but honestly haven't once associated it when I've seen his name.

sashh · 29/03/2023 06:09

twinklelight · 28/03/2023 19:07

Could you spell it Irah? Or even as it’s pronounced, Eyra?

That's what I was thinking.

I'm normally in the camp of using the most common spelling but in this case I think the addition of a letter and adding an 'h' makes me think it is more masculine.

I have only ever come across females called Ira (usually short for Irene or Myra) so that's why I think 'girl'.

TowerStork · 29/03/2023 06:02

I'm surprised at the responses. I'm from Ireland and wouldn't see an issue with the name Ira. It's a Hebrew name. But if other posters are right then it's hardly worth your hassel. Although I really do wonder if this is an age specific issue there.

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