Iris or Eira for a girl?

29 replies

NorseMum · 23/06/2025 11:26

Hi! 👋
Just want to see what people think of the names Iris vs Eira?

Iris: Greek goddess of rainbow. Popular all over the world.

Eira: Norse goddess of healing/medicine. Popular in Sweden, Norway, Finland and also in Wales.

We are a Nordic/English family, and we like both names...but which name is prettier for a girl today? 🤔

(Pronunciation: Eye-ris and Eye-ra.)

Thanks 🙏

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NorseMum · 24/06/2025 11:40

AnneMarieW · 24/06/2025 01:07

Just to throw a bit more confusion into the ring but have you considered Ianthe? Like Iris it’s a name from Greek mythology and is often pronounced as “Eye-an-thee”. Some people do pronounce it as “Ee-an-thee” too but it’s so rare compared to something like Eira, I think it would be easier to have the pronunciation sound that you prefer.

I know you weren’t asking for other name ideas but there’s relatively few girls names with that “eye” sound and I always think it’s sad that so few people have heard of beautiful, literary Ianthe.

Oh, I actually really like Ianthe, thank you for suggesting! I had never heard it before but it's beautiful 🌸

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calmingpompoms · 24/06/2025 11:54

Eira is pronounced Ay-ra in Wales.

clarrylove · 24/06/2025 12:00

I like Iris. It reminds me of my Auntie Iris. But we did used to call her Auntie Eyeballs. 😂

Helpagaloutplz · 24/06/2025 12:02

NorseMum · 24/06/2025 11:40

Oh, I actually really like Ianthe, thank you for suggesting! I had never heard it before but it's beautiful 🌸

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I much prefer Ianthe to Iris and Eira! xx

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