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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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stayathomer · 28/03/2023 18:07

When I first saw it I thought IRA, but yes, have heard of it now people mention it but god, I don’t know, I think you’re giving them a bit of a burden ahead of time

BarryK3nt · 28/03/2023 18:07

There’s a boy in my daughter’s class called Ira. It’s not an issue at all, it’s a nice name from the Bible.

TrashyPanda · 28/03/2023 18:06

I’d think of Ira Gershwin and Ira Levin

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:05

using it against my daughter in the future

It's a boys name.

golden1989 · 28/03/2023 18:01

Personally it wouldn't offend me, but I would be scared of people using it against my daughter in the future.
I agree with others that Eira is the same pronunciation & a beautiful name.

Housewife2010 · 28/03/2023 17:58

IkeNoNo · 28/03/2023 15:51

My first thought was Ira Levin. Author of several excellent books including Rosemarys Baby.

My first thought too.

jays · 28/03/2023 17:57

Not for the connotations but for that fact that literally no one knows how to pronounce it and it’ll be just a constant hassle here for life, I wouldn’t no.

loislovesstewie · 28/03/2023 17:57

I went to school with an Eira, in fact there were lots of Welsh girls at my school.

hoophoophooray · 28/03/2023 17:55

Ira and Eira aren't really pronounced the same if you are in Wales. Eira is more ay-rah with a rolled r in the middle. Ira is more eye-ruh.

I wouldn't see too much of an issue with Ira but I knew one growing up. Lots of people would and I would understand why although I wouldn't personally

TheWayTheLightFalls · 28/03/2023 17:51

It’s just a Jewish male name to me. I know one; he’s four.

sunmonlight · 28/03/2023 17:43

What about Irah?

ClaraThePigeon · 28/03/2023 17:41

I am familiar with the name, for some reason Cybil's ex-husband is the first who comes to mind but I wouldn't be surprised with people associating it with the IRA considering that it's literally the same letters.

ShadowPuppets · 28/03/2023 17:41

I know one. He’s exclusively known by a nickname though.

Personally when I saw it I immediately saw IRA. Not least because odds are baby will need to spell it out at various points and therefore say the exact letters. It’s ‘worse’ than Isis in that respect I think.

A shame as it’s a lovely name but I think most people in UK + Ireland would see it and immediately think of The Troubles etc.

Meadowfly · 28/03/2023 17:40

There are lots of names that aren’t also the name of a terrorist group, seems a bit unnecessary to choose one of the two that is.

DappledThings · 28/03/2023 17:39

I know a 2 year old one. Absolutely fine. When it was announced my first thought was Ira Gershwin. And I lived in Belfaet for 3 years.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 17:38

This, specifically, is what I thought of :

ClaraThePigeon · 28/03/2023 17:37

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

It's hardly a long shot when it has the exact same letters, only all in upper case. It's really not that much of a stretch.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 17:36

I'm surprised at the number of people who went with IRA or girls names

I've heard it on American films or TV and the character male and Jewish

Namechange828492 · 28/03/2023 17:33

It's fine, I would associate it with Ira Gerschwin, it's a real name so doesn't make me think IRA.

loislovesstewie · 28/03/2023 16:10

I thought of Ira Gershwin, I wouldn't use it because there are bound to be IRA jokes.

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?

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.

LaLaLouella · 28/03/2023 16:00

I really wouldn't use it - it's a nice enough name but the IRA link is just too strong and could make life uncomfortable for your son...

FatGirlSwim · 28/03/2023 15:59

Oh it’s a boy’s name? Sorry!

Ivan? Ivo?

FatGirlSwim · 28/03/2023 15:58

It would be an issue.
Do you like Ida? Eira (pn Ay-ra)?

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