Ira
A unisex name of Hebrew origin, meaning watchful, vigilant.
How Ira has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2016 | #951 |
| 2017 | #967 |
| 2018 | #958 |
| 2019 | #875 |
| 2020 | #806 |
| 2021 | #809 |
| 2022 | #844 |
| 2023 | #880 |
| 2024 | #975 |
| 2025 | #822 |
Ira by the numbers
In 2025, 39 babies in England and Wales were named Ira. In the US, 339 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 883 babies in 1947, making it a 1940s name.
At its height, in 1880, about 1 in 480 American babies born that year was called Ira.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ira. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Ira
Names that are said the same way as Ira, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean a protector
Like Ira, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexadefender of men; form of Alexandra3,888 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)