Irie first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Irie has been for the last 43 years (from 1982 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Irie

A Jamaican name meaning a positive state of being or vibes.

Popularity of Irie by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Irie is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 84% of people named Irie being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 125 female babies and 34 male babies born with the name Irie.

YearMale CountFemale Count
202434125
202321141
202224127
202121175
202032129
201919136
201827167
201730159
201624148
201522184
201423148
201314133
201217118
20111187
20101484
20091569
20081581
20072146
20061245
2005938
2004034
20031131
2002832
2001628
20001329
1999626
19981314
1997817
1996622
1995814
1994512
199389
1992010
199006
198205

The history of the first name Irie

The given name Irie is believed to have originated from the Jamaican Patois language, which is an English-based creole with influences from various African languages. The name is derived from the Rastafarian term "Irie," which means positive, peaceful, or to be at total ease.

The name Irie gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly within the Rastafarian culture and among those associated with the reggae music scene. It is often used as a greeting or to express a sense of contentment and well-being.

While the name itself does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is deeply rooted in the Rastafarian movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s. The Rastafarian culture has had a significant impact on the island's music, language, and overall way of life.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Irie can be found in the 1970s, when it started to gain popularity among Jamaican families. However, it was not until the late 20th century and early 21st century that the name became more widely recognized globally.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the given name Irie. One such person is Irie Selkirk, a Jamaican singer and songwriter born in the 1970s, known for her contributions to the reggae and dancehall genres.

Another individual named Irie is Irie Jones, an American singer and songwriter born in the 1980s, who has gained recognition for her work in the neo-soul and R&B genres.

In the field of athletics, Irie Harris is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) in the early 2000s.

Irie Banton, born in the late 20th century, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist known for his unique style and lyrical prowess.

Lastly, Irie Calhoun is an American actress and model born in the late 20th century, who has appeared in various television shows and films.

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

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

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