Can I name my baby Ira?

[phonemouse]

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?

It’s not a name I’d use in the UK or Ireland.

Yes it would be an issue

Honestly I really wouldn't

I genuinely see IRA... I would think you were associated with them..

I know of 2 in the uk - lovely name x

You could but the real question is should you and I think we all know the answer to that.

No, there are loads of names - don’t lumber your child with that

I think it would be an issue in the UK and Ireland. It is the 1st thing I thought of as soon as I seen the title.

The kid would always be explaining "No, not after that" for the rest of their life.

Imagine every time they have to spell their name

No, don't do it.

I'm 50:50 on this, nice name though. How about Ida as an alternative?

I know an Eira, said the same.

Imagine if the child grew up and went to study or work in NI or Ireland… they’d literally need to change their name!

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

I assumed it was a boys name but looking it up it is both.

I would have thought that Eira is a girl, while Ira is a boy.
I would say that it doesn’t work in the UK, sorry.
How about Ivor?

Ira is a boy's name.
Eira is a girl's name.
I really like Ira, but agree it is problematic.
Asa and Ezra have a similar vibe.

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 think it's a lovely name. Personally I would spell it Iyrah but it looks nice either way.

I think that it is a lovely name but no way would I use it in the UK or Ireland.

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

Oh it’s a boy’s name? Sorry!

Ivan? Ivo?

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...

I've always liked the name Ira.

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

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?

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