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

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

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.

This, specifically, is what I thought of :

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.

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.

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.

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.

What about Irah?

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

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

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

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.

My first thought too.

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.

using it against my daughter in the future

It's a boys name.

I’d think of Ira Gershwin and Ira Levin

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.

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

My first thought was:

'Its Jewish boys name and there is a character in Meet the Fockers with it'

I'm not British, and can see it would be popular in USA, but no idea why you think its popular in Australia? I lived there 25yrs, travelled/worked all around the country and never heard of anyone, adult nor child with it!

My apologies I googled out of curiosity and it is in use in several different countries some as boys some as girls

Its most common use though is male Jewish

charlies-names.com/en/ira/

Interestingly, ira is Latin for anger, as in irate.

Lol OK must have missed the fact it was for a boy. I've usually seen it as a girls name.

Well, I'd also fear people would use it against my son.

Eira, same pronounciation, Welsh word for snow. You're welcome 🥰

@golden1989

Turns out it's gender neutral

Male in Hebrew culture

Female in Russian culture