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

Irma is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 252 recorded births.

When was Irma most popular?

Irma reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 1,393 births that year. It is currently ranked #2609 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Irma?

Irma is currently ranked #2609 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 73,717 babies since 1880.

Irma

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysDeclining Also a pet name

#2609▼ 12in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from the Germanic languages.

Irma is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German element ermen or irmin, meaning 'whole,' 'universal,' or 'great.' It was used in medieval Germany and became popular across Europe in the 19th century.

Irma peaked in the United States in the 1910s and 1920s, when Germanic and Scandinavian names were widely fashionable. Today it carries the kind of sturdy, overlooked vintage charm that names like Mabel and Winifred have already reclaimed — a name waiting for its moment.

Compare Irma with another name

Popularity Over Time

Irma was #1383 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2609, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Irma
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	334	#2618	▼
2010s	636	#2798	▼
2000s	1,348	#1570	▼
1990s	2,213	#919	▼
1980s	2,638	#694	▼
1970s	4,029	#480	▼
1960s	7,073	#355	▼
1950s	9,430	#274	▲
1940s	7,752	#250	—
1930s	8,517	#207	▼
1920s	12,237	#177	▲
1910s	10,461	#150	▲
1900s	3,909	#151	▲
1890s	2,407	#169	▲
1880s	733	#236	—

Year-by-Year Data

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

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Irma
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	67	#2609	-1 (-1.5%)
2023	68	#2597	-2 (-2.9%)
2022	70	#2538	+10 (16.7%)
2021	60	#2835	-9 (-13.0%)
2020	69	#2509	+25 (56.8%)
2019	44	#3524	-8 (-15.4%)
2018	52	#3130	-19 (-26.8%)
2017	71	#2521	0
2016	71	#2526	+4 (6.0%)
2015	67	#2662	0
2014	67	#2626	+19 (39.6%)
2013	48	#3339	-15 (-23.8%)
2012	63	#2784	-9 (-12.5%)
2011	72	#2517	-9 (-11.1%)
2010	81	#2350	-16 (-16.5%)
2009	97	#2093	-14 (-12.6%)
2008	111	#1905	+5 (4.7%)
2007	106	#1946	-23 (-17.8%)
2006	129	#1645	+10 (8.4%)
2005	119	#1676	-32 (-21.2%)

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

Irma as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Irma has also been given to 252 boys in the U.S. since 1915.

Unranked

Current rank

252

Total births

1921

Peak year

Compare Irma as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Irma be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Irma is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2609. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Irma has two lives

Irma, the baby name

#2609girls

73,717 babies

Currently viewing

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