Find out how popular the first name Irene has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Irene by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Irene is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Irene being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 434 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Irene.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Irene in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Irene

The name Irene traces its origins to the Greek word "eirene", meaning peace. It is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, Eirene, who was one of the Horae, the personifications of order in nature and the seasons. The name first emerged in ancient Greece during the classical period.

Eirene was a prominent figure in Greek mythology, often depicted carrying a cornucopia and sceptre. As the goddess of peace, she represented the peaceful times between wars and conflicts. Her name was given to mortal women as a symbol of tranquility and serenity.

The name Irene gained popularity in the early Christian era, as it was borne by several early Christian saints and martyrs. One of the most notable was Saint Irene of Rome, who lived in the 4th century AD and is venerated as a martyr in the Roman Catholic Church.

In the Byzantine Empire, the name Irene was particularly popular among the imperial family. The most famous bearer was Empress Irene of Athens, who ruled as the first female monarch of the Byzantine Empire from 797 to 802 AD. She played a significant role in restoring the veneration of icons during the iconoclastic controversy.

Another notable historical figure named Irene was Irene of Hungary, a 12th-century Byzantine empress who was the wife of Emperor John II Komnenos. She was known for her diplomatic skills and played an influential role in the affairs of the empire.

In the 19th century, the name Irene gained popularity in English-speaking countries, partly due to the influence of the Greek myth and its association with peace. One famous bearer was Irene Foote (1821-1912), an American educator and advocate for women's rights.

Another notable Irene was Irene Joliot-Curie (1897-1956), a French chemist and physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 for her work on artificial radioactivity. She was the daughter of the famous scientists Marie and Pierre Curie.

Throughout history, the name Irene has been associated with qualities of peace, serenity, and tranquility, reflecting its origins in Greek mythology. Its enduring popularity across cultures and eras is a testament to the universal appeal of these ideals.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Irene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Irene, please contact us.

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