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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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farnhamgal · 28/03/2023 19:26

Spell it Eyera if you have to

LibbyL92 · 28/03/2023 19:14

The Ira I know is spelt Iru

twinklelight · 28/03/2023 19:07

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

slowquickstep · 28/03/2023 19:07

No, People will think terrorists,

TheBirdintheCave · 28/03/2023 19:06

I love Ira. I'd have used it for our son as my husband has Jewish roots but our niece is named Lyra so that was a no go.

I don't see an issue with it 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's a name far more ancient than the IRA (which is said eye are ay anyway and not eye-ra) so I don't see why it should have to make way for a terrorist organisation.

To clear up some issues re the girls names which sound similar you have:

Aira (eye-ra): Finnish and means messenger
Eira (eye-ra or ay-ra dependent on your location in Wales!): Welsh for snow
Ira (EE-ra): Russian diminutive of Irina (ee-reena)
Ayra (eye-ra): Indian (not sure of the origin or meaning

There are probably more too. It seems to be a popular letter combo/sound across the globe.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/03/2023 19:04

phonemouse · 28/03/2023 15:55

Sorry yes it would be for a boy. Hmm not looking good.
It is a classic name though which is sad.
Same way Isis is a name though probably not used much anymore either. Difference being Isis is pronounced the same, Ira I felt was different as it's more of a name in itself

I wanted to call dd Isis. Fortunately for her, dh has a bit more of a grip on current affairs 12 years ago when I was expecting her.

Ira is a nice name, but not for rte UK.
Ives?
Ivan?
Ivor?
Ike?

cloudycat · 28/03/2023 18:59

what about Irah? Or Eirya?

QuackMooBaaOink · 28/03/2023 18:59

No way I would use it. Far too many embedded negative connotations.

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 18:56

I’d assume you were Jewish and probably a New Yorker. I have known 4 blokes called Ira and all were Jewish. And most were bald, funnily enough.

Weallgottachangesometime · 28/03/2023 18:55

I think it’s a beautiful name and considered it for my second if they were a boy…but they weren’t.

My husband though said it reminded him of IRA too much. Honestly though it’s not that rare Inwouod have thought people seeing Ira Smith-Jones would know it’s the name and not the I.R.A!

EggyBreads · 28/03/2023 18:54

Jewish boys name and it's lovely.

LlynTegid · 28/03/2023 18:54

Please don't. Yes it would be an issue.

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.

Mumof1andacat · 28/03/2023 18:43

I knew an Eria and she was from Wales so to me it's a girls name

tigger2022 · 28/03/2023 18:35

When the baby is older, whenever they're asked how their name is spelled they'll have to say IRA

(And before they're officially named I guess they're the provisional Ira)

DisforDarkChocolate · 28/03/2023 18:26

I think it's lovely. Was it the ex-husband's name in Cybil?

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:25

@WideOpenSpaces

AND NOW I'M STANDING SINGING SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP IN FRONT OF IRA!

WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 18:22

My husband was after Ira for our DS1 but I was worried about IRA connotations. And we aren't Jewish. Also I love Harry met Sally and kept quoting this at him @EineReiseDurchDieZeit

loislovesstewie · 28/03/2023 18:16

But Eira isn't said Ira. My friend said it Ayra.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:15

@golden1989

Turns out it's gender neutral

Male in Hebrew culture

Female in Russian culture

thispostisaboutyou · 28/03/2023 18:15

Eira, same pronounciation, Welsh word for snow. You're welcome 🥰

golden1989 · 28/03/2023 18:14

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:05

using it against my daughter in the future

It's a boys name.

Lol OK must have missed the fact it was for a boy. I've usually seen it as a girls name.

Well, I'd also fear people would use it against my son.

MacarenaMacarena · 28/03/2023 18:11

Interestingly, ira is Latin for anger, as in irate.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:09

My apologies I googled out of curiosity and it is in use in several different countries some as boys some as girls

Its most common use though is male Jewish

charlies-names.com/en/ira/

CC4712 · 28/03/2023 18:09

My first thought was:

'Its Jewish boys name and there is a character in Meet the Fockers with it'

I'm not British, and can see it would be popular in USA, but no idea why you think its popular in Australia? I lived there 25yrs, travelled/worked all around the country and never heard of anyone, adult nor child with it!

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