Is Ira a boy's or girl's name?

Ira is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 6,902 recorded births.

When was Ira most popular?

Ira reached its peak popularity in 1947 with 884 births that year. It is currently ranked #975 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Ira?

Ira is currently ranked #975 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 55,104 babies since 1880.

Ira

A familiar Hebrew name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewDeclining Also a pet name

#975▼ 97in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A captain of King David, a minor figure in the Bible mentioned in 2 Samuel 20:26.

Ira is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Ira meaning "watchful" or "alert," a name appearing in the Bible as one of King David's champions. It has also been used as a short form of the Persian name Iraj.

With over 55,000 U.S. births recorded, Ira has been a consistent American name for generations. Lyricist Ira Gershwin — who collaborated with his brother George on the Great American Songbook — gave the name its most enduring creative association. This American Life host Ira Glass has kept it contemporary.

Compare Ira with another name

Popularity Over Time

Ira climbed 385 spots in the last 20 years — from #1360 to #975.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Ira
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,373	#863	▼
2010s	1,805	#1109	▲
2000s	1,070	#1389	—
1990s	1,184	#1053	▼
1980s	2,098	#626	▼
1970s	3,107	#457	▼
1960s	4,412	#374	▼
1950s	7,026	#271	—
1940s	7,156	#218	▲
1930s	5,838	#211	▼
1920s	7,911	#180	▲
1910s	6,115	#151	▲
1900s	1,714	#127	▼
1890s	1,916	#97	▼
1880s	2,379	#73	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Ira
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	230	#975	-36 (-13.5%)
2023	266	#878	-22 (-7.6%)
2022	288	#845	-13 (-4.3%)
2021	301	#809	+13 (4.5%)
2020	288	#807	+37 (14.7%)
2019	251	#876	+35 (16.2%)
2018	216	#961	+2 (0.9%)
2017	214	#967	-4 (-1.8%)
2016	218	#952	+19 (9.5%)
2015	199	#1020	+39 (24.4%)
2014	160	#1170	+4 (2.6%)
2013	156	#1156	+6 (4.0%)
2012	150	#1197	+40 (36.4%)
2011	110	#1478	-21 (-16.0%)
2010	131	#1313	+4 (3.1%)
2009	127	#1355	+29 (29.6%)
2008	98	#1604	-13 (-11.7%)
2007	111	#1451	+9 (8.8%)
2006	102	#1494	+8 (8.5%)
2005	94	#1519	-13 (-12.1%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Ira as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Ira has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 6,902 births since 1880.

#1436

Current rank

6,902

Total births

2022

Peak year

Compare Ira as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Ira be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Ira is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #975. As a girl's name, it ranks #1436.

Ira has two lives

Ira, the baby name

#975boys

55,104 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology

Ira