Find out how popular the first name Irian has been for the last 5 years (from 1996 to 2000) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Irian by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Irian is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2000, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Irian.

The history of the first name Irian

The name Irian has its origins in the ancient Sumerian civilization, one of the earliest known cultures to arise in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE. It is derived from the Sumerian word "ir," meaning "city" or "dwelling place," and is believed to have been used as a name to signify a connection to a particular city or settlement.

Irian was a relatively uncommon name in ancient Sumerian records, but it did appear in a few clay tablet inscriptions and cuneiform writings from the region. One notable mention is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known literary works, where a character named Irian is referenced as a wise elder of the city of Uruk.

In the later Akkadian and Babylonian periods, the name Irian continued to be used, although its popularity waned. Some historical records indicate that an Akkadian ruler named Irian-shumu reigned in the city of Babylon around 1800 BCE, but details about his life and reign are scarce.

During the Hellenistic period, the name Irian was adopted and adapted by Greek-speaking populations in the Middle East. A Greek philosopher named Irian of Cyzicus, who lived around 100 BCE, is noted for his work on the interpretation of dreams and his writings on the concept of the soul.

In the medieval period, the name Irian saw a resurgence in popularity among certain Christian communities in the Middle East and North Africa. Saint Irian of Alexandria, who lived in the 5th century CE, was a prominent figure in the Coptic Church and is venerated for her efforts in spreading Christianity and establishing monasteries in Egypt.

Other notable individuals with the name Irian include Irian the Scribe, a 9th-century Arab scholar and calligrapher from Baghdad, and Irian of Tyre, a 12th-century Crusader knight who participated in the siege of Jerusalem during the Third Crusade.

While the name Irian has faded from common usage in most cultures, it remains a testament to the rich history and linguistic diversity of the ancient Middle East, carrying echoes of Sumerian, Akkadian, Greek, and Arabic influences.

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 Irian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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