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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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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Meredusoleil · 31/03/2023 21:12

LazJaz · 31/03/2023 21:05

Beautiful Hebrew name meaning “watchful”. Ira was one of King David’s warriors, who was sometimes described as “wise”

I think it’s a beautiful sounding name, that has a lovely meaning.
it’s growing in popularity but still very unusual - you may or may not like that.

Personally, I always find it ridiculous, and frankly sexist, when people say that make names that end in an “a” are “too feminine”. Why would it be undesirable for a boy/man to have a beautiful, lyrical name? I like unisex names generally though, and Ira is a name that is used for different sexes in different cultures.

i don’t see Ezra as an equivalent name - similar “genre” but it’s massively more popular (I predict it will be the like the Mark of this generation), harder sound, immediately makes me think of fascist poet Ezra Klein.

Ezra is exactly the other name I was thinking of when pp were talking about Ira being unisex. I have now taught a boy Ezra and a girl Ezra.

Fundays12 · 31/03/2023 21:19

I wouldn't I immediately thought of the IRA. Maybe a different spelling might work

DuesToTheDirt · 31/03/2023 21:26

I thought of Ira Gershwin, and wondered if you were in doubt because of not being Jewish. Now that people have pointed out the IRA issue, I'd agree with them.

PaintedEgg · 04/04/2023 14:47

Ira also means wrath / anger in Latin (when spelled like this). The association with IRA would be way to strong for a kid to not get bullied

Twoinapod · 04/04/2023 15:25

phonemouse · 31/03/2023 20:15

Thanks for all the replies. Still undecided to be honest.
I don't like the idea of adding letters as I feel it changes the name.
I do like the Welsh spellings, is that predominantly a female name though?

If you mean Eira then yes it is a girls name, it means snow. It’s my daughters name and is pronounced Ay-ra (ay as in hay) but I know in south wales it’s said as Ira would be. But it is definitely a girls name. I think a lot of people have assumed Ira to be a girls name.

maddy68 · 04/04/2023 18:30

My friend is called Ira it's a lovely name. But my phone does capitalise it as if she is a terror organisation so worth considering

TobySpaniel · 03/05/2023 17:02

I've just stumbled across this thread. We are considering Ira for our DS3 due in July. I love it, and my husband suggested it, but these negative responses have made me think.
What did you decide @phonemouse ?

Daisybuttercup12345 · 03/05/2023 23:53

IRA.
Not good.
I knew one. He would be in his 20s now. Hated his name.

Marcipex · 04/05/2023 00:49

No don’t.

There was one on the maternity ward when I had my first. The mother, aware of the spelling and connotations, had decided it would be spelt I R I A so as to be different from the political group.

I wonder if that girl has spent her life saying ‘No it’s not Irry-a, it’s pronounced Eye-ra.’ to mystified people.

Polzair · 04/05/2023 23:31

I'd assume you are a Jewish family, that's it. I had no idea what you meant at first. Ira Glass came to mind and I thought 'is he controversial here?' 😅

Keep in mind the average Mumsnet poster is older which is probably why the IRA springs to mind. His peers will not think this and it wouldn't be 'emotional' for them either.

Go for it. It's a beautiful name!

JamSandle · 04/05/2023 23:33

Of course! :)

summertimesunshines · 06/05/2023 16:25

My daughters name is pronounced 'eye-ree' and it's always been very well received and lots of people say how lovely and different it is. I think Ira would be lovely x

summertimesunshines · 06/05/2023 16:26

Oh I see people are connecting it to the IRA! It didn't honestly cross my mind, though I suppose when written in capitals it is slightly more suggestive of its connotations

FourTeaFallOut · 06/05/2023 16:30

You can't call a kid Ira, I mean, come on, give them a fighting chance.

CaptainMyCaptain · 06/05/2023 16:34

happysingleversary · 28/03/2023 16:01

I've always liked the name Ira.

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

It would be how you would have to spell it out loud

JaninaDuszejko · 06/05/2023 16:41

Are you Jewish? Then great, if not then maybe not.

2bazookas · 06/05/2023 16:43

Are you under the delusion the IRA has gone away? They shot a policeman just recently.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Irish_Republican_Army

New Irish Republican Army - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Irish_Republican_Army

dwightschrutebeets · 06/05/2023 16:46

Eira is my top girls name. I love it

Wishona · 06/05/2023 16:49

I know a baby Aaira which is pronounced the same

765penny658 · 05/03/2024 13:40

I've named my child Ira. I'm from the UK. No one has ever mentioned the IRA to me. Everyone says its a beautiful name. I once got randomly talking to Irish lady and I had LO with me. She asked his name, and when I told her she said it was a beautiful name, and that it really suited him. If someone said Ira to me I wouldn't think of the IRA. It all depends on the person

Lindy2 · 05/03/2024 13:52

I'm aware of it as an American name. I was quite shocked when I first saw the spelling of it.

I'm afraid it really doesn't work as a UK name. Either spell it differently or choose something else that won't have such negative overtones.

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/03/2024 15:07

Eira (Welsh for snow) is said the same as Ira and avoids the problematic associations.

MaloneMeadow · 05/03/2024 15:46

765penny658 · 05/03/2024 13:40

I've named my child Ira. I'm from the UK. No one has ever mentioned the IRA to me. Everyone says its a beautiful name. I once got randomly talking to Irish lady and I had LO with me. She asked his name, and when I told her she said it was a beautiful name, and that it really suited him. If someone said Ira to me I wouldn't think of the IRA. It all depends on the person

‘If someone said Ira to me I wouldn’t think of the IRA’

As you obviously don’t live in NI or Ireland. I sincerely hope that your child never wants to move here as spelling their name is going to lead to quite a few raised brows and uncomfortable conversations. Why would you want to name your child after a terrorist group? Isis is a nice name too but that doesn’t stop the connotations!

rainydaysandwednesdays · 05/03/2024 16:15

Eek possibly not with that spelling. The pronunciation is nice though, maybe try and adjust the spelling?

KirstenBlest · 05/03/2024 16:25

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/03/2024 15:07

Eira (Welsh for snow) is said the same as Ira and avoids the problematic associations.

No it's not, and Eira is a girl's name. The thread is an old one.