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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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WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 19:46

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I want you to know that I will never want that wagon wheel coffee table

WhatIsntInAName · 28/03/2023 19:51

I personally wouldn't, but I would definitely change the spelling if you were to use it (e.g. Iyra, Iyrah, Ayra, Eyra). Thing is you could pick another name and it have negative connotations for reasons that haven't happened yet! Think of all the children given the name Karen by their parents 50 years ago!

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 21:54

WideOpenSpaces · 28/03/2023 19:46

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I want you to know that I will never want that wagon wheel coffee table

“I was trying to be nice!”

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 22:40

@JulieHoney @WideOpenSpaces

He's never gonna leave her

Truckinghell · 28/03/2023 22:42

I like it, Cybill's ex in the sitcom was my first thought.

JulieHoney · 28/03/2023 22:44

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/03/2023 22:40

@JulieHoney @WideOpenSpaces

He's never gonna leave her

You’re right, you’re right. I know you’re right.

peaceinourtime · 28/03/2023 23:05

It's a Jewish name and It's nice. I don't agree with the responses on here that people will think of the IRA, for that to happen I would have to be spelled IRA. People get used to how names are pronounced if they don't already know.

AbsoIutelyLovely · 28/03/2023 23:08

I’m Irish and I never even saw the connection! 😂😂😂😂😂

I assumed you wondered if it was ok given you’re not Jewish or something

elizabethdraper · 28/03/2023 23:09

As an Irish person I wouldn't have an issue with.

Pretty standard Jewish name

JenniferBarkley · 28/03/2023 23:12

elizabethdraper · 28/03/2023 23:09

As an Irish person I wouldn't have an issue with.

Pretty standard Jewish name

As an Irish person I wouldn't take offence at someone being called Ira.

I wouldn't want it to be my name if I lived in the UK or Ireland though, because every time you spell it out it will make people think IRA.

Ventingtura · 29/03/2023 00:40

IRA is an issue.

Being for a boy is an issue.

newtb · 29/03/2023 00:44

My first thought was that it means 'He/she will go' in French.

user1492757084 · 29/03/2023 04:34

No, Ira could be offensive to her.

Iris
Isla
Lila
Bridie
Sarah
Briony
Ireland
Serena

Justinripley · 29/03/2023 05:02

I have a good friend Ira and I have thought it before about his name but ultimately everything has connotations. It's still a lovely name.

Side note, one of my favourite girls names is Ayra pronounced the same

Mumma · 29/03/2023 05:08

Eira... its welsh for snow

romdowa · 29/03/2023 05:30

I'm irish and I wouldn't be offended by the name but I'd feel really sorry for the child having a name like that. If you truly love it then just change the spelling, usually I'm all about using the original spellings but this is definitely an exception

PatsyJStone · 29/03/2023 05:35

Lovely name! Use it if you like it. Why would anyone hold the spelling of it against a child or adult I don't know. Someone is introduced to you, it would be rude to say anything about their name whatever the spelling! If you needed to ask about the spelling.
Not sure how all these people think your son would end up being treated any differently due to this. Surely most people are above this 'oooh that's like IRA' mentality?

scottishthistle77 · 29/03/2023 05:43

I like the name Ira but can see the problem when asked to spell it out. Kids, and some adults, can be cruel.

The idea that a few pp had of adding an 'h' to the end making it Irah is a good one. It doesn't change he sound of the name, so nobody should have problems with the pronunciation of it.

I also like the name Ezra that others suggested as well.

ShandaLear · 29/03/2023 05:51

No, you’re calling your kid after a terrorist organisation. Why not just name him Isis and be done with it?

TowerStork · 29/03/2023 06:02

I'm surprised at the responses. I'm from Ireland and wouldn't see an issue with the name Ira. It's a Hebrew name. But if other posters are right then it's hardly worth your hassel. Although I really do wonder if this is an age specific issue there.

sashh · 29/03/2023 06:09

twinklelight · 28/03/2023 19:07

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

That's what I was thinking.

I'm normally in the camp of using the most common spelling but in this case I think the addition of a letter and adding an 'h' makes me think it is more masculine.

I have only ever come across females called Ira (usually short for Irene or Myra) so that's why I think 'girl'.

WhenDovesFly · 29/03/2023 06:15

My friend in the north of England has an Ira. I'm 60 so have lived through all the IRA troubles but honestly haven't once associated it when I've seen his name.

unfortunateevents · 29/03/2023 07:16

I only know one Ira, and she is very definitely female, in her 40s. She is half Norwegian, and I assumed that was where the name came from. Had no idea that it is supposed to be a male name.

HuggingtheHRT · 29/03/2023 07:29

IRA stuff aside. The two Ira's I have known have both been Jewish. Do you have a Jewish connections because it might seem weird otherwise?

bignope · 29/03/2023 08:11

I know an Ira and she absolutely hates her name. She's in her late 40s so born very much at the time of the troubles.

The association might not be the same now but honestly, don't do it. There's lots of other lovely names that don't have the same connotations.