Find out how popular the last name Ira is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ira.

Ira, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ira surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ira in America

Ira is the 49914th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ira surname appeared 420 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ira.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ira to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ira

The surname Ira has its origins in ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran. It is derived from the Old Persian word "ira," which means "noble" or "worthy." The name is thought to have emerged around the 6th century BCE during the Achaemenid Empire, one of the earliest and most influential Persian dynasties.

Ira was initially a title bestowed upon individuals of high social status and nobility within the Persian court. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname, passed down from generation to generation. The earliest known records of the name Ira can be found in ancient Persian inscriptions and cuneiform tablets from the era.

As the Persian Empire expanded, the name Ira spread across the region, gaining recognition in neighboring territories. It is mentioned in several ancient texts and manuscripts, including the Avesta, a sacred text of Zoroastrianism, the dominant religion in ancient Persia.

During the Middle Ages, the name Ira appeared in various forms and spellings, such as Iraj and Iranj, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of the regions it traversed. One notable figure bearing this surname was Iraj Mirza (1453-1476), a prince of the Timurid dynasty, known for his poetry and patronage of the arts.

As trade and migration patterns evolved, the name Ira found its way to different parts of the world. In the 16th century, records show individuals with the surname Ira residing in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in cities like Istanbul and Izmir.

Another notable figure in history was Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), an African-American actor and playwright who achieved fame on the European stage. He was born in New York but spent much of his career performing in England and continental Europe, where he was celebrated for his theatrical talent and groundbreaking portrayals of Shakespearean roles.

In more recent times, Ira Remsen (1846-1927), an American chemist and educator, made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. He is best known for his work on the separation and identification of chemical compounds, as well as his role in establishing the prestigious Johns Hopkins University.

Ira Gershwin (1896-1983), an American lyricist and composer, left an indelible mark on the world of music. He collaborated with his brother George to create numerous Broadway musicals and popular songs, including timeless classics like "Embraceable You" and "I Got Rhythm."

Ira Levin (1929-2007), an American novelist and playwright, achieved critical acclaim for his works, including the best-selling novels "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives," both of which were adapted into successful films.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ira

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ira.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ira was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ira has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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