Ira

Meaning: Its source is a Hebrew expression meaning "Alert."

Languages: This boy's name is used in Hebrew and English.

Popularity: The name Ira ranked 351st in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: Some authorities prefer the meaning ''donkey foal.''

Arts and Music

Ira Gershwin (born 1896, died 1983)
American songwriter.
- Wrote ''''Embraceable You'''' (see list of Songwriters)

Science and Philosophy

Ira C. Eaker
World War II U.S. Army Air Forces general; earlier set a world flight endurance record.
- Member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (see list of National Aviation Hall of Fame)

Sports

Ira Hanford
Jockey.
- 1936 Kentucky Derby winner (see list of Jockeys Who Have Won the Kentucky Derby)

The Literary World

Ira Gershwin (born 1896, died 1983)
American songwriter.
- 1932 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, for Of Thee I Sing (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama)
Ira B. Harkey, Jr.
- 1963 Pulitzer Prize winner for Editorial Writing (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing)
Ira Levin (born 1929)
American novelist.
- Wrote The Stepford Wives (see list of Prose Writers of the 20th Century)
Ira Wolfert
- 1943 Pulitzer Prize winner for International Reporting (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting)


Iyar
Ihor
Beulah

Teasing Nicknames:

Iran
Persp-ira

Associations:

In Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, ira means anger and rage.

Meaning: Its source is Eirene, a Greek name meaning "Peace."

Origin: "Eirene."

Languages: This girl's name is used in Russian.

Nickname For: Irina

Popularity: The name Ira ranked 1535th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: This was the name of the Greek goddess of peace. Until the 20th century, it was commonly pronounced in three syllables (i-REE-nee).

This was changed through the combined popularity of a series of two-syllable influences: dancer Irene Castle (1893-1969), a popular musical comedy called Irene, and Goodnight, Irene, a plaintive folk ballad by Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter, 1888-1949).

Multiple Tony Award-winning actress Irene Worth (born Hattie Adams in 1916) is a notable preserver of the three-syllable pronunciation.

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