Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Alternative spelling of 'Ira'

29 replies

alexisfaith · 08/07/2010 11:46

DH aren't having a baby but we are TTC. Had a light chat about names and both love the boy's name Ira. Except I hate that it's spelt the same as the I.R.A. - are there other accepted spellings (if we ever have a boy, we wouldn't want to use a made up spelling). Thanks!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
jabberwocky · 10/07/2010 16:11

I only would think of it as a Jewish name. But then, I'm in the US so the I.R.A. doesn't figure as prominently. I can't think of any alternative spellings that are not feminine iykwim.

valiumSingleton · 10/07/2010 16:10

I'm just making the point that they are the same. I don't need to go out on to the streets to figure that one out!

Rockbird · 10/07/2010 16:07

I don't see what point you are trying to make. Even on this thread the majority of people didn't immediately think of the IRA. Sorry to disappoint you. It's a perfectly legitimate name (that I have no particular interest in), it has associations for you, but unless you've been out in the streets asking, it's unlikely that you can second guess everyone's opinion.

valiumSingleton · 10/07/2010 08:50

Maybe you didn't but as they are exactly the same, letter for letter, a lot of people are going to think IRA. It's a good name in America though.

Rockbird · 10/07/2010 00:29

No, it doesn't sorry. Has never occurred to me in the 15 or so years I've been aware of the name.

valiumSingleton · 09/07/2010 23:13

I can't believe some people think it's fine! Imagine OP, every time somebody asks you how to spell it you are going to have to say Eye Are Ay. Tell me that doesn't make you think of the IRA!

Original poster
alexisfaith · 09/07/2010 12:23

Glad that few of you thought of the IRA (I think my FIL's interest in reading about the Troubles probably changes it for us personally). I loved the Cybil programme too, forgot about that Ira!

OP posts:
TakeLovingChances · 09/07/2010 12:18

I used to LOVE that Cybil Shepard programme

I'm from Belfast and although I do think the name Ira sounds like a lovely name, if I saw it written down I'd think IRA.

Tis a pity that mental link between IRA and Ira taints such a nice name.

What about the name Ezra? Not quite the same, but it's a good strong name.

Rockbird · 08/07/2010 23:53

That was it, Cybill Shepherd's prog

melikalikimaka · 08/07/2010 22:56

Iraih, Eira, Yrha, Iara, Eiragh, Eyera!

melikalikimaka · 08/07/2010 22:38

Aeiragh!

meandjoe · 08/07/2010 22:34

Ahh Ruby already said about the sit com! Yeah he was Zoe's dad, Cybil's ex husband. It's a nice name.

meandjoe · 08/07/2010 22:32

I didn't think of I.R.A at all, I actually thought of the character Ira from an old sit com called Cybil. I think if you start spelling it differently it will me mispronounced a lot.

thisisyesterday · 08/07/2010 22:23

i like Ira and didn't think of the IRA at all. in fact, i looked at the thread title and thought "i wonder why they want a different spelling"
didn't even occur to me

MaamRuby · 08/07/2010 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaamRuby · 08/07/2010 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

secunda · 08/07/2010 22:17

Eira is nice

telsa · 08/07/2010 22:15

The Eira I know is a Welsh girl!

Hedwig3 · 08/07/2010 20:49

Completely agree with Rockbird.

But I am not Irish.

Rockbird · 08/07/2010 20:43

I'm Irish and didn't think of the IRA, I thought of a character from a US show. You're not going to write it IRA are you? Ira looks nothing like it.

valiumSingleton · 08/07/2010 20:02

I would avoid that one.

I know it would work on a New Yorker with a fabulous sur name like Silverstein. But it will just put people in mind of the IRA, if you use it in this part of the World. Sorry that is jmvho.

loveydovey · 08/07/2010 16:32

Eira is how its spelt in wales.

Original poster
alexisfaith · 08/07/2010 14:39

Thanks Tidey, we weren't really thinking about names. DH just heard of someone called Ira and we both liked it, that's all. No real consideration as yet, though I adore and have my heart set on Eyeraaah.

OP posts:
Tidey · 08/07/2010 13:52

Eyra? Irea? Euyriea? Eyeraaah?

Have you considered any other names?

Original poster
alexisfaith · 08/07/2010 13:51

Seriously though, Ara might be good - thanks coffee. We also like Ari, but he'd probably be Harry forever!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread