The nameIrene
Irene is the Greek name of peace. It was a top 20 American name around 1918.
- Girl's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Irene comes from the Greek eirene, "peace". Eirene was the goddess of peace.
Origin
Greek.
History
Several saints and a Byzantine empress bore the name. In the United States Irene reached 16th place in 1918.
Did you know?
- Irène Joliot-Curie shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 with her husband, following her parents Pierre and Marie Curie.
Famous people named Irene
- Irène Joliot-Curie, Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Irene Dunne, actress
- Irene Cara, singer
Popularity of the name Irene
Irene in the United States
Irene was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 93,192 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Irene. Its rise began around 1892, and it peaked in 1921. Half of all babies named Irene in the United States were born before 1926, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 452 births a year.
Irene in the United Kingdom
Irene was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 220 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Irene. Half of all babies named Irene in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 32 births a year on average, against 23 in the five years before.
Irene in Ireland
Irene in France
Irene in Austria
Irene in Norway
Sibling names for Irene
Names from the same generation as Irene, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Irene? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Irene with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Irene side by side with the name of your choice.
Irene in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Irene mean?
Irene comes from the Greek eirene, "peace". Eirene was the goddess of peace.
What is the origin of the name Irene?
Greek.
Is Irene a girl's or a boy's name?
Irene is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Irene?
In 2024, Irene was the 639th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 461 births.
What are good sibling names for Irene?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melina, Thalia, Rita and Barbara for a sister, Dorian, Esteban, Eugene and Philip for a brother.
Who are famous people named Irene?
Irène Joliot-Curie, Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Irene Dunne, actress; Irene Cara, singer.