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Ira

“Watchful” — Hebrew origin

Boy's name · #819 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Ira has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #57 (1881) · 55,410 babies named Ira all-time · 1 in 5,600 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 5,000 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 15,000 boys in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 30 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Iras

• Ira Levin — American novelist, playwright (1929–2007)
• Ira Gershwin — American lyricist (1896–1983)
• Ira S. Bowen — American physicist and astronomer (1898–1973)
• Ira Remsen — American chemist (1846–1927)
• Ira Sachs — American filmmaker (born 1965)

In stories & tradition

• Ira the Ithrite — human biblical figure
• Ira Goldstein — advertising character
• Ira of Tekoa — 2 Samuel 23

What Iras become

Among 614 notable people named Ira:

Lawyers & judges appear 1.57× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ira De Ment, United States District Judge.

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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