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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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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?

scottishthistle77 · 29/03/2023 05:43

I like the name Ira but can see the problem when asked to spell it out. Kids, and some adults, can be cruel.

The idea that a few pp had of adding an 'h' to the end making it Irah is a good one. It doesn't change he sound of the name, so nobody should have problems with the pronunciation of it.

I also like the name Ezra that others suggested as well.

PatsyJStone · 29/03/2023 05:35

Lovely name! Use it if you like it. Why would anyone hold the spelling of it against a child or adult I don't know. Someone is introduced to you, it would be rude to say anything about their name whatever the spelling! If you needed to ask about the spelling.
Not sure how all these people think your son would end up being treated any differently due to this. Surely most people are above this 'oooh that's like IRA' mentality?

romdowa · 29/03/2023 05:30

I'm irish and I wouldn't be offended by the name but I'd feel really sorry for the child having a name like that. If you truly love it then just change the spelling, usually I'm all about using the original spellings but this is definitely an exception

Mumma · 29/03/2023 05:08

Eira... its welsh for snow

Justinripley · 29/03/2023 05:02

I have a good friend Ira and I have thought it before about his name but ultimately everything has connotations. It's still a lovely name.

Side note, one of my favourite girls names is Ayra pronounced the same

user1492757084 · 29/03/2023 04:34

No, Ira could be offensive to her.

Iris
Isla
Lila
Bridie
Sarah
Briony
Ireland
Serena

newtb · 29/03/2023 00:44

My first thought was that it means 'He/she will go' in French.

Ventingtura · 29/03/2023 00:40

IRA is an issue.

Being for a boy is an issue.

JenniferBarkley · 28/03/2023 23:12

elizabethdraper · 28/03/2023 23:09

As an Irish person I wouldn't have an issue with.

Pretty standard Jewish name

As an Irish person I wouldn't take offence at someone being called Ira.

I wouldn't want it to be my name if I lived in the UK or Ireland though, because every time you spell it out it will make people think IRA.

elizabethdraper · 28/03/2023 23:09

As an Irish person I wouldn't have an issue with.

Pretty standard Jewish name

AbsoIutelyLovely · 28/03/2023 23:08

I’m Irish and I never even saw the connection! 😂😂😂😂😂

I assumed you wondered if it was ok given you’re not Jewish or something

peaceinourtime · 28/03/2023 23:05

It's a Jewish name and It's nice. I don't agree with the responses on here that people will think of the IRA, for that to happen I would have to be spelled IRA. People get used to how names are pronounced if they don't already know.

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 22:44

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 22:40

@JulieHoney @WideOpenSpaces

He's never gonna leave her

You’re right, you’re right. I know you’re right.

Truckinghell · 28/03/2023 22:42

I like it, Cybill's ex in the sitcom was my first thought.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 22:40

@JulieHoney @WideOpenSpaces

He's never gonna leave her

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 21:54

WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 19:46

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I want you to know that I will never want that wagon wheel coffee table

“I was trying to be nice!”

WhatIsntInAName · 28/03/2023 19:51

I personally wouldn't, but I would definitely change the spelling if you were to use it (e.g. Iyra, Iyrah, Ayra, Eyra). Thing is you could pick another name and it have negative connotations for reasons that haven't happened yet! Think of all the children given the name Karen by their parents 50 years ago!

WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 19:46

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I want you to know that I will never want that wagon wheel coffee table

katepilar · 28/03/2023 19:46

Pemba · 28/03/2023 16:06

It's not a name that people are very familiar with in the UK, I think it's a Hebrew male name and your baby is a boy? Straight away, even before the IRA issue I knew you'd have people assuming it was a girl's name. And it's happened, you have posters suggesting Ida or Lyra as alternatives. Seems like we just can't get away from the assumption that name ending in 'a' = female. That's why the name Sasha has become a girl's name in English speaking countries I suppose.

So even apart from the whole IRA thing in the UK and Ireland you'd probably run into confusion. What about Isaac?

Sasha is short for both Alexandra and Alexandr in Russian and other Slavic countries.

anabundanceofjars · 28/03/2023 19:45

We nearly named our son Ira. Other names we had on the list similar to Ira were Ivo and Iddo. And Ezra.
I really like it

Mumoftwoinprimary · 28/03/2023 19:41

What about Ezra?

Verylongtime · 28/03/2023 19:40

Very Jewish boys’ name, dated.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 28/03/2023 19:40

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2023 18:51

I think it’s a nice name, my first thought was ‘Jewish old man name’. I think it’s well know enough not to be problematic.

My immediate thought was “American Jewish old man name”.

But once you see the IRA connotation you can’t un-see it.

DappledThings · 28/03/2023 19:29

farnhamgal · 28/03/2023 19:26

Spell it Eyera if you have to

Why would you mangle a perfectly good name like that? People are really over thinking it.