Holding steady, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Irena since 1880
Babies named Irena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Irena's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 50 |
| 1890s | 84 |
| 1900s | 104 |
| 1910s | 181 |
| 1920s | 146 |
| 1930s | 96 |
| 1940s | 91 |
| 1950s | 126 |
| 1960s | 137 |
| 1970s | 172 |
| 1980s | 167 |
| 1990s | 212 |
| 2000s | 183 |
| 2010s | 276 |
| 2020s | 161 |
Meaning & origin
Irena is a name with deep roots in Greek mythology and Eastern European tradition. First recorded in the U.S. in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1882, reflecting early immigration patterns. Today, the name is quite rare, with approximately 1 in 66,969 girls named Irena in 2025, ranking 5,238. Its trajectory has been stable, indicating a consistent but low level of use. The name's cross-cultural presence, from Greece to Poland, gives it a timeless quality without being common. For parents seeking a name with historical weight and a gentle meaning, Irena offers a subtle alternative to the more familiar Irene or Irina.
Irena is the Slavic, Polish, and Czech form of Irene, which comes from the Greek "Eirene," the goddess of peace. The name was used by early Christians and spread throughout Europe. It has been consistently used in Eastern Europe and has a long history in Poland and the Czech Republic.
“Irena” around the world
Where Irena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Irenka, Rena, Ira
Sibling names for Irena
Names that share Irena's style, for a brother or sister.
