Alternative spelling of 'Ira'

[alexisfaith]

DH aren't having a baby but we are TTC. Had a light chat about names and both love the boy's name Ira. Except I hate that it's spelt the same as the I.R.A. - are there other accepted spellings (if we ever have a boy, we wouldn't want to use a made up spelling). Thanks!

Sinn Fein

Could it be short for something?

Einar and Ara are boys' names, not exactly the same but with a similar sound.

Eire

Dry! I spat out my coffee laughing at that! My DH is a lapsed Catholic (his parents are still very religious) and I was brought up Presbyterian so I can't begin to imagine what my MIL would say. Baby Boy Ian Paisley, perhaps?!

Seriously though, Ara might be good - thanks coffee. We also like Ari, but he'd probably be Harry forever!

Eyra? Irea? Euyriea? Eyeraaah?

Have you considered any other names?

Thanks Tidey, we weren't really thinking about names. DH just heard of someone called Ira and we both liked it, that's all. No real consideration as yet, though I adore and have my heart set on Eyeraaah.

Eira is how its spelt in wales.

I would avoid that one.

I know it would work on a New Yorker with a fabulous sur name like Silverstein. But it will just put people in mind of the IRA, if you use it in this part of the World. Sorry that is jmvho.

I'm Irish and didn't think of the IRA, I thought of a character from a US show. You're not going to write it IRA are you? Ira looks nothing like it.

Completely agree with Rockbird.

But I am not Irish.

The Eira I know is a Welsh girl!

Eira is nice

i like Ira and didn't think of the IRA at all. in fact, i looked at the thread title and thought "i wonder why they want a different spelling"
didn't even occur to me

I didn't think of I.R.A at all, I actually thought of the character Ira from an old sit com called Cybil. I think if you start spelling it differently it will me mispronounced a lot.

Ahh Ruby already said about the sit com! Yeah he was Zoe's dad, Cybil's ex husband. It's a nice name.

Aeiragh!

Iraih, Eira, Yrha, Iara, Eiragh, Eyera!

That was it, Cybill Shepherd's prog

I used to LOVE that Cybil Shepard programme

I'm from Belfast and although I do think the name Ira sounds like a lovely name, if I saw it written down I'd think IRA.

Tis a pity that mental link between IRA and Ira taints such a nice name.

What about the name Ezra? Not quite the same, but it's a good strong name.

Glad that few of you thought of the IRA (I think my FIL's interest in reading about the Troubles probably changes it for us personally). I loved the Cybil programme too, forgot about that Ira!

I can't believe some people think it's fine! Imagine OP, every time somebody asks you how to spell it you are going to have to say Eye Are Ay. Tell me that doesn't make you think of the IRA!

No, it doesn't sorry. Has never occurred to me in the 15 or so years I've been aware of the name.