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Original poster

Opinions on Irene?

71 replies

babynameratings · 05/09/2022 11:57

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?

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JoanThursday · 05/09/2022 21:52

MILs name.

So it's a no from me. 😉

Kawaii50 · 05/09/2022 21:56

I've loved the name Irene (any pronunciation) since I read this book asa child: The Princess and the Goblin

userxx · 05/09/2022 21:57

LaundryBin · 05/09/2022 11:59

Eye-reen- not keen
Eye-reen-ee- lovely but you'll be forever correcting people

Very true. My mum always get the shortened version which pisses her off.

ThickCutSteakChips · 05/09/2022 21:59

I can only think of a fag smoking, bleached blonde Australian middle aged woman when I hear the name Irene!

Objectively though, it's actually quite nice!

RaRaRaspoutine · 05/09/2022 22:06

A truly hideous name. Sorry.

Snowiscold · 05/09/2022 22:58

I really like it. I like the two-syllable version and also the three-syllable version. Its Greek origins should help people realise the final E is pronounced-like Hermione and Penelope and Calliope.

drpet49 · 05/09/2022 23:28

Awful name

Unicorn717 · 05/09/2022 23:37

It's a no from me

Talipesmum · 05/09/2022 23:45

I really like it. Makes me think of Irene Adler from Sherlock Holmes- glamorous beautiful and smart. And lovely meanings in Greek too. I don’t compare it at all with Maureen, Doreen - more with hermione etc. as someone said above.

Talipesmum · 05/09/2022 23:45

And I think you could go with the three syllable pronunciation too.

idiotmagnet · 05/09/2022 23:49

Renie? Which is short for Irene

Ndd135632 · 05/09/2022 23:50

You are ahead of your time

DFOD · 05/09/2022 23:53

Windbeneathmybingowings · 05/09/2022 12:08

It’s the eeen sounds. They haven’t aged well and it’s not even like it’s two generations up which is usually the fashion for older names. I actually have friends mums called Irene. Pauline. Eileen. It’s all a bit caravan in clacton.

Yes the “een” names not coming through - Noreen, Doreen

Thisdoesnotendwell · 05/09/2022 23:55

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ladygindiva · 05/09/2022 23:55

It's my mum's name, and she's actually an old lady and she has always hated it so much she's only used her middle name since late teens.

WhenWhyHow · 06/09/2022 00:22

Absolutely not. Horrendous.

SlowingDownAndDown · 06/09/2022 07:20

Kawaii50 · 05/09/2022 21:56

I've loved the name Irene (any pronunciation) since I read this book asa child: The Princess and the Goblin

Great book! The sequel was a bit odd.

mogwa · 06/09/2022 10:21

I think it sounds good when pronounced by Europeans. I'm not keen on the English pronunciation though, and it does seem very dated to me.

SlowingDownAndDown · 06/09/2022 12:24

The 27th Kingdom is a great book about an Aunt Irene pronounced ihrenuh.

Wishyfishy · 06/09/2022 12:34

I don’t like it I’m afraid. I haven’t seen much sign that the “een” names are coming back and I’m not sure that’s surprising - Pauline etc.
I do really like Kathleen though, so that’s an exception to the rule for me.

Fifthtimelucky · 06/09/2022 12:42

I agree that Irene is more a (late) middle aged name than an old name.

I am in my early 60s and I know or knew a couple of Irenes my age (both pronounced with three syllables).

On the other hand, the Doreens, Eileens, Maureens and Paulines I have known were all the generation above, so would now be in their 90s

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