Opinions on Irene?

[babynameratings]

I have received a lot of mixed opinions on the name Irene and was wondering what the general consensus would be on the name. Nice or too old lady?

Not ready to be rehabilitated yet. As pps have said, it’s the ‘reen’ sound. I think of it as similar to Doreen, Eileen etc. It’s time will probably come round again - just not yet.

Eye-reen-ee sounds better and fresher, but it’s not the standard pronunciation.

@Lilacsunflowers it’s much nicer pronounced that way, but it’s not common. Is there a spelling variation on Irene?

Renee is better

I love it, definitely due a comeback. It sounds old ladyish to people who are adults now but it's not going to be a problem for your daughter's generation, to them it will probably sound very fresh!

Love it

I have an Auntie Irene and an Aunt Reenee and they are both amazing so I love both names.

I like it.

I love Irene when pronounced with three syllables. It's been one of my favourite names since primary school and I love both the look of the name when written down and the sound of it.

I didn't realise until I was well into my 20s that some people pronounced it with two syllables. I hate it that way (I also hate Maureen, Doreen and Eileen).

I considered it for my children but discounted because I was worried people would pronounce it the way I hate.

Horrible
In the same vein as Doreen and Maureen.

I love it, and think it's on the brink of a comeback. Someone else posted on here recently about it and got the same replies about pronunciation.

It only takes one celebrity who pronounces it Eye-ree-nee and people will start pronouncing it that way. Until then, you might have to correct people. But is that really a problem? My daughter has a traditional, but unusual name and sometimes people struggle with pronunciation - but only the first time.

Three syllables sounds a bit Hyacinth Bucket to me, whatever the history of it.

Old fashioned and not in trendy revival way.

Thinking old lady

I have a lovely friend called Irena. How about that?

I know quite a few Irenes in their 20s/30s from other European countries so it doesn't seem old lady to me - it seems cosmopolitan and cool.

I love it.

Iris is nice as well. Also Arlene.

I really like it. Was there an Irene in Mallory Towers or St Clares?

I don't think it's 'little old lady' and classic, it's more 'older middle aged woman' not long enough time passed since it was trendy.

It's a bit sad and dreary to my ears. It's not old fashioned with a bit of pizazz, like Gloria or Pamela. It's old fashioned like Doreen.

Eye-reen definite no, because that's your granny or auntie from the more formal side of the family.

Eye-reen-ee a maybe, but only because it's your granny or auntie from the fun side of the family.

It is my Grandmothers name, although she goes by Rene (Ree-knee). Love it and will be using it as a middle name myself

It's Mildred with more vowels. It's shit sorry. My beloved grandmother was Irene and even she knew.

Maybe add accents to it like the French

Middle name is OK for first name just can't picture it on a teenager. I picture a 4 year old girl in a frilly dress looking traditional. But can't imagine it on a modern child.

It’s not bad I suppose.

It's a beautiful and elegant name