Irine first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Irine has been for the last 1 years (from 1978 to 1978) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Irine

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "peace".

Popularity of Irine by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Irine is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1978, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Irine.

Year Male Count Female Count
1978 0 5

The history of the first name Irine

The name Irine has its origins in the ancient Greek language and culture. It is derived from the Greek word "eirene," which means "peace." This name was popular in ancient Greece, particularly during the classical period between the 5th and 4th centuries BC.

Irine was the Greek goddess of peace, and her name was often invoked in religious ceremonies and rituals aimed at promoting harmony and tranquility. The name also appears in several ancient Greek texts, including works by the renowned philosophers Plato and Aristotle.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Irine was Irine of Tlos, a Greek noblewoman who lived in the 4th century BC. She was famous for her advocacy of women's rights and her efforts to promote education among women in ancient Greece.

Another notable figure was Irine of Athens, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 3rd century BC. She was a student of the famous philosopher Epicurus and is credited with making significant contributions to the development of Epicurean philosophy.

In the Byzantine Empire, the name Irine gained popularity among the imperial family. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Irine the Athenian, who was the wife of the Byzantine Emperor Leo IV and served as regent for her son, Constantine VI, from 780 to 790 AD.

During the Middle Ages, the name Irine was also popular among Christians, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Balkan region. Saint Irine, a Christian martyr from the 4th century AD, was venerated in the Orthodox Church and is remembered for her unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution.

In more recent history, Irine Haviland (1886-1975) was a notable American actress and singer who appeared in several Broadway productions and Hollywood films during the early 20th century.

These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the name Irine, which has been associated with concepts of peace, harmony, and intellectual pursuits throughout the ages.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Irine first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/irine-meaning-and-history/.

"Irine first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/irine-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 August, 2025

Irine first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/irine-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.