Ira

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-rah /ˈiː.rə/Low

Meaning: Watchful, attentive, full of observationLow

In 30 seconds: Ira is a Hebrew name meaning watchful or attentive. While traditionally a masculine name in Hebrew (borne by David's priest Ira), it has been used as a feminine name in some cultures and is growing as a girl's name in the US and Europe.

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Origin LowHebrew

MeaningWatchful, attentive, full of observation

U.S. rank (2025)#1086 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births222 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,124

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ira is a Hebrew name meaning watchful, from the root ra'ah meaning to see or observe. In the Bible, Ira was a priest of King David. In Eastern Europe, Ira is used as a feminine name (a short form of Irina meaning peace in Russian).

In the United States, Ira has traditionally been a masculine name but is growing for girls. In Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia, Ira is used as a feminine name. Its two vowels make it soft and accessible.

Did you know? Ira Gershwin — lyricist and brother of composer George Gershwin — wrote the words to Summertime, Someone to Watch Over Me, and dozens of other beloved songs. The name Ira carries the literary and musical legacy of one of America's greatest lyricists.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Ira

Variations

IrinaEireneIrena

Nicknames

Iri

Famous Bearers

★Ira Gershwin (1896-1983)
American lyricist who collaborated with his brother George Gershwin; first lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize

If you like Ira…

Noa— Short Hebrew name for girls of same two-syllable brevity

Lea— Short Hebrew name with same gentle sound

Ziva— Hebrew radiance name of same Israeli tradition

Asa— echoes that soft -a sound

Gia— echoes that soft -a sound

Explore names like Ira

By themehebrew classic two-syllable russian gender-neutral

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Frequently Asked

What does Ira mean?

Ira means watchful or attentive in Hebrew, from the root meaning to see or observe.

Is Ira a girl's name?

Ira is traditionally masculine in Hebrew but is used as a feminine name in Eastern Europe (as a short form of Irina) and is growing for girls in the United States.

How do you pronounce Ira?

Ira is pronounced EE-rah with two syllables.

What names are similar to Ira?

Similar short Hebrew names for girls include Noa, Ora, and Ziva.