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Baby names

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Original poster

Can I name my baby Ira?

244 replies

phonemouse · 28/03/2023 15:44

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?

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loislovesstewie · 28/03/2023 18:16

But Eira isn't said Ira. My friend said it Ayra.

WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 18:22

My husband was after Ira for our DS1 but I was worried about IRA connotations. And we aren't Jewish. Also I love Harry met Sally and kept quoting this at him @EineReiseDurchDieZeit

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 18:25

@WideOpenSpaces

AND NOW I'M STANDING SINGING SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP IN FRONT OF IRA!

DisforDarkChocolate · 28/03/2023 18:26

I think it's lovely. Was it the ex-husband's name in Cybil?

tigger2022 · 28/03/2023 18:35

When the baby is older, whenever they're asked how their name is spelled they'll have to say IRA

(And before they're officially named I guess they're the provisional Ira)

Mumof1andacat · 28/03/2023 18:43

I knew an Eria and she was from Wales so to me it's a girls name

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2023 18:51

I think it’s a nice name, my first thought was ‘Jewish old man name’. I think it’s well know enough not to be problematic.

LlynTegid · 28/03/2023 18:54

Please don't. Yes it would be an issue.

EggyBreads · 28/03/2023 18:54

Jewish boys name and it's lovely.

Weallgottachangesometime · 28/03/2023 18:55

I think it’s a beautiful name and considered it for my second if they were a boy…but they weren’t.

My husband though said it reminded him of IRA too much. Honestly though it’s not that rare Inwouod have thought people seeing Ira Smith-Jones would know it’s the name and not the I.R.A!

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 18:56

I’d assume you were Jewish and probably a New Yorker. I have known 4 blokes called Ira and all were Jewish. And most were bald, funnily enough.

QuackMooBaaOink · 28/03/2023 18:59

No way I would use it. Far too many embedded negative connotations.

cloudycat · 28/03/2023 18:59

what about Irah? Or Eirya?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/03/2023 19:04

phonemouse · 28/03/2023 15:55

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 wanted to call dd Isis. Fortunately for her, dh has a bit more of a grip on current affairs 12 years ago when I was expecting her.

Ira is a nice name, but not for rte UK.
Ives?
Ivan?
Ivor?
Ike?

TheBirdintheCave · 28/03/2023 19:06

I love Ira. I'd have used it for our son as my husband has Jewish roots but our niece is named Lyra so that was a no go.

I don't see an issue with it 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's a name far more ancient than the IRA (which is said eye are ay anyway and not eye-ra) so I don't see why it should have to make way for a terrorist organisation.

To clear up some issues re the girls names which sound similar you have:

Aira (eye-ra): Finnish and means messenger
Eira (eye-ra or ay-ra dependent on your location in Wales!): Welsh for snow
Ira (EE-ra): Russian diminutive of Irina (ee-reena)
Ayra (eye-ra): Indian (not sure of the origin or meaning

There are probably more too. It seems to be a popular letter combo/sound across the globe.

slowquickstep · 28/03/2023 19:07

No, People will think terrorists,

twinklelight · 28/03/2023 19:07

Could you spell it Irah? Or even as it’s pronounced, Eyra?

LibbyL92 · 28/03/2023 19:14

The Ira I know is spelt Iru

farnhamgal · 28/03/2023 19:26

Spell it Eyera if you have to

DappledThings · 28/03/2023 19:29

farnhamgal · 28/03/2023 19:26

Spell it Eyera if you have to

Why would you mangle a perfectly good name like that? People are really over thinking it.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 28/03/2023 19:40

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2023 18:51

I think it’s a nice name, my first thought was ‘Jewish old man name’. I think it’s well know enough not to be problematic.

My immediate thought was “American Jewish old man name”.

But once you see the IRA connotation you can’t un-see it.

Verylongtime · 28/03/2023 19:40

Very Jewish boys’ name, dated.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 28/03/2023 19:41

What about Ezra?

anabundanceofjars · 28/03/2023 19:45

We nearly named our son Ira. Other names we had on the list similar to Ira were Ivo and Iddo. And Ezra.
I really like it

katepilar · 28/03/2023 19:46

Pemba · 28/03/2023 16:06

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?

Sasha is short for both Alexandra and Alexandr in Russian and other Slavic countries.

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