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Ira

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ira: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2025.

Ira is a name with two distinct roots: as a Hebrew name from the Bible, where it appears as a masculine name meaning "watchful" or "vigilant," and as a Sanskrit name for girls meaning "earth" or "wind." In the Scottish context, the Hebrew version is the more familiar route, though it remains uncommon here. The most famous bearer is the American songwriter Ira Gershwin, who wrote the lyrics for his brother George's timeless compositions like "Summertime" and "I Got Rhythm." In a fascinating etymological twist, the Hebrew root of Ira connects to the name of the country Iraq, whose name is often interpreted to mean "vigilant" or "deeply rooted." Modern parents might also notice that Ira has the same letters as "air" and "ria," giving it a wonderfully simple, airy feel that works well on both boys and girls in Scotland.