Ira ( or or ) is a

male and female ''Male and Female'' is a 1919 American silent adventure/drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Gloria Swanson and Thomas Meighan. Its main themes are gender relations and social class. The film is based on the 1902 J. M. Barrie ...

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

. As a Sanskrit male name, its meaning is that of the wind-God, Vayu. As a Sanskrit female name (ईरा ''I-RA),'' its meaning is "the Earth". It is also the name given to Goddess

Saraswati Saraswati ( sa, सरस्वती, ) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati. The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a g ...

(Goddess of wisdom and knowledge). In Russian, Ira () is a female given name, a diminutive of

Irina Irina (Cyrillic: Ирина) is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, commonly borne by followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is derived from Eirene (Ancient Greek: Εἰρήνη), an ancient Greek goddess, personification of pe ...

. In Finland, Ira is a female given name, a version of the name of the Greek goddess Hera, Ήρα, queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. In Hebrew, the name Ira (, Modern Hebrew ''Ira'', Tiberian Hebrew ''ʻÎrâ'') has several meanings, among them "Watchful". In the United States, the given name Ira was in the top 100 names from 1880, the first year recorded, until 1896 and steadily declined for over a century; only in 2016 did the name return to the Social Security Administration's top 1000 names.

Biblical

* Ira the Jairite, King David's priest or chief minister *Ira ben Ikkesh of Tekoa, a fighter among King David's Mighty Warriors

People

* Ira H. Abbott (1906–1988), American aerospace engineer * Ira Aldridge (1807–1867), American actor *

Ira Allen Ira Allen (April 21, 1751 – January 7, 1814) was one of the founders of the U.S. state of Vermont and a leader of the Green Mountain Boys during the American colonial period. He was the younger brother of Ethan Allen. Biography Ira Allen w ...

(1751–1814), American politician * Ira Alterman (1945–2015), American journalist and author *

Ira Angustain Ira Angustain (born August 6, 1958, in Glendale, California) is an American actor best known for his roles as Ricardo "Go Go" Gomez on '' The White Shadow'' and as Freddie Prinze in the made-for-TV movie ''Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of ...

(born 1958), American actor * Ira Aten (1862–1953), American sheriff *

Ira Babcock Doctor Ira Leonard Babcock (c. 1808 – March 21, 1888) was an American pioneer and doctor in the Oregon Country. A native of New York, he was selected as the first Supreme Judge with probate powers in February 1841 in what would become the state ...

(1808–1888), American pioneer *

Ira Baldwin Ira Lawrence Baldwin (August 20, 1895 – August 9, 1999) was the founder and director emeritus of the Wisconsin Academy Foundation. He began teaching bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin in 1927 and a few years later moved into what becam ...

(1895–1999), American scientist * Ira Coleman Batman (1862–1934), American jurist and politician *

Ira Steven Behr Ira Steven Behr (born October 23, 1953) is an American screenwriter and television producer, best known for his work on '' Star Trek'', especially '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', on which he served as showrunner and executive producer. He was ...

(born 1953), American television producer * Ira Berkow (born 1940), American writer *

Ira Berlin Ira Berlin (May 27, 1941 – June 5, 2018) was an American historian, professor of history at the University of Maryland, and former president of Organization of American Historians. Berlin is the author of such books as ''Many Thousands Gone: ...

(born 1941), American historian * Ira Bowman (born 1973), American basketball player * Ira Brown (born 1982), Japanese basketball player *

Ira Byock Ira Robert Byock ( ; born February 13, 1951, Newark, New Jersey) is an American physician, author, and advocate for palliative care. He is founder and chief medical officer of the Providence St. Joseph Health Institute for Human Caring in To ...

(born 1951), American physician and author * Ira Colitz (1916-1998), American businessman and politician *

Ira Condict Ira Condict (February 21, 1764 – June 1, 1811) was an American Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed minister who served as the third president of Queen's College (now Rutgers University) in New Brunswick, New Jersey. A 1784 graduate of the Colleg ...

(1764–1811), American college president *

Ira Clifton Copley Ira Clifton Copley (October 25, 1864 – November 1, 1947) was an American publisher, politician, and utility tycoon. Born in rural Knox County, Illinois, Copley's family moved to Aurora when Copley was 2 so he could be treated for scarlet fev ...

(1864–1947), American politician and newspaper publisher *

Ira P. DeLoache Ira Pleasant DeLoache (1879-1965) was an American real estate developer. He was the founder of Whiteface, Texas. He was the main developer Preston Hollow, an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Dallas, Texas. Early life DeLoache was born on Sept ...

(1879-1965), American real estate developer *

Ira Deutchman Ira Deutchman is a producer, distributor and marketer of independent films. In 2000, he moved into film exhibition as co-founder and managing partner of Emerging Pictures, a New York-based digital exhibition company, which was sold in January ...

(born 1953), American film producer * Ira Drukier (born 1945), American hotelier * Ira Dubey (born 1984), Indian film actress *

Ira C. Eaker General (Honorary) Ira Clarence Eaker (April 13, 1896 – August 6, 1987) was a general of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Eaker, as second-in-command of the prospective Eighth Air Force, was sent to England to form and ...

(1896–1987), American general * Ira Allen Eastman (1809–1881), American politician *

Ira Elliot Nada Surf is a New York City-based American alternative rock band formed in the 1990s, consisting of Matthew Caws (guitar, vocals), Ira Elliot (drums), Doug Gillard (guitar, backing vocals), and Daniel Lorca (bass, backing vocals). History 1 ...

(born 1963), American drummer *

Ira Flatow Ira Flatow (; born March 9, 1949) is a radio and television journalist and author who hosts Public Radio International's popular program '' Science Friday''. On TV, he hosted the Emmy Award-winning PBS series ''Newton's Apple'', a television sc ...

(born 1949), American radio and television journalist *

Ira Fuchs Ira H. Fuchs (born December 1948) is an internationally known authority on technology innovation in higher education and is a co-founder of BITNET, an important precursor of the Internet. He wainductedinto the Internet Hall of Fame in 2017. Si ...

(born 1948), American computer scientist *

Ira A. Fulton Ira Amond Fulton (born November 12, 1931) is an Arizona philanthropist, land developer, businessman, and founder of Fulton Homes. In 2006, BusinessWeek listed Fulton 36th on its list of "The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists.". The Arizona Legisla ...

(born 1931), American businessman * Ira Gershwin (1896–1983), American lyricist *

Ira Gitler Ira Gitler (December 18, 1928 – February 23, 2019) was an American jazz historian and journalist. The co-author of ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'' with Leonard Feather—the most recent edition appeared in 1999—he wrote hundreds of ...

(1928–2019), American jazz historian and journalist *

Ira Glass Ira Jeffrey Glass (; born March 3, 1959) is an American public radio personality. He is the host and producer of the radio and television series ''This American Life'' and has participated in other NPR programs, including ''Morning Edition'', ' ...

(born 1959), American radio presenter *

Ira B. Harkey Jr. Ira B. Harkey Jr. (January 15, 1918 – October 8, 2006) was an American writer, professor of journalism, and editor and publisher of the '' Pascagoula Chronicle-Star'' in Mississippi from 1951 to 1963. Harkey was awarded the Pulitzer Prize ...

(1918–2006), American writer * Ira Hamilton Hayes (1923–1955), United States Marine and Pima Native American, photographed raising the flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima * Ira G. Hedrick (1868–1937), American civil engineer * Ira Herskowitz (1946–2003), American geneticist * Ira B. Hyde (1838–1926), American politician *

Ira Kaplan Ira Kaplan (born January 7, 1957) is a co-founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the American indie rock band Yo La Tengo. He is married to the band's co-founder Georgia Hubley. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Kaplan formed Yo La T ...

(born 1957), American musician *

Ira Katznelson Ira I. Katznelson (born 1944) is an American political scientist and historian, noted for his research on the liberal state, inequality, social knowledge, and institutions, primarily focused on the United States. His work has been characterize ...

(born 1944), American political scientist *

Ira Levin Ira Marvin Levin (August 27, 1929 – November 12, 2007) was an American novelist, playwright, and songwriter. His works include the novels '' A Kiss Before Dying'' (1953), '' Rosemary's Baby'' (1967), '' The Stepford Wives'' (1972), ''This Perfe ...

(1929–2007), American writer * Ira A. Lipman (born 1940), American businessman and philanthropist * Ira M. Lish (1855–1937), American politician *

Ira Losco Ira Losco M.Q.R. (born 31 July 1981) is a Maltese pop singer. Her career breakthrough came in 2002, when she represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "7th Wonder". She placed second in the competition, Malta's best ...

(born 1981), Maltese singer *

Ira Magaziner Ira Magaziner (born November 8, 1947) is an American advisor. He was born in New York City, New York, US. After being a student activist and business consultant, Magaziner became the senior advisor for policy development for President Clinton, es ...

(born 1947), American consultant *

Ira Newborn James Ira Newborn (born December 26, 1949) is an American musician, actor, orchestrator and composer, best known for his work composing motion picture soundtracks. Life and career Newborn was born in New York City. References to him as James I ...

(born 1949), American composer * Ira C. Owens (born 1936), American general * Ira Pastan, (born 1931), American scientist *

Ira Pierce Ira Liston Pierce (September 1874 – July 16, 1906) was an American chemist and college sports coach. He served as the head baseball coach of the University of Delaware in 1895 and as football coach in 1896. Pierce was born in September 1874 and ...

(1874–1906), American chemist and college sports coach *

Ira Remsen Ira Remsen (February 10, 1846 – March 4, 1927) was an American chemist who discovered the artificial sweetener saccharin along with Constantin Fahlberg. He was the second president of Johns Hopkins University. Early life Ira Remsen was bor ...

(1846–1927), American chemist *

Ira Sachs Ira Sachs (born November 21, 1965) is an American filmmaker. His first film was the short ''Lady'' (1993). Biography Sachs was born in Memphis, Tennessee. His films include '' The Delta'' (1997), '' Forty Shades of Blue'' (2005), '' Married Li ...

(born 1965), American filmmaker *

Ira Sankey Ira David Sankey (August 28, 1840 – August 13, 1908) was an American gospel singer and composer, known for his long association with Dwight L. Moody in a series of religious revival campaigns in America and Britain during the closing decades ...

(1840–1908), American singer * Ira Sharkansky (born 1938), American political scientist *

Ira Shor Ira Shor (born June 2, 1945) is a professor at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, where he teaches composition and rhetoric. He is also doctoral faculty in the PhD Program in English, at The Graduate Center, CUNY. Biog ...

(born 1945), American educator *

Ira Stoll Ira Stoll (born 1972) is managing editor of '' Education Next'', an education policy journal based at the ''Harvard Kennedy School''. He is editor of FutureOfCapitalism.com, a columnist for the ''Algemeiner'', and he writes a column that appears ...

(born 1972), American journalist * Ira Valentine (1963–2022), American football player * Ira Wolfert (1908–1997), American war correspondent

Fiction

* Ira Buchman, fictional character in the American television series ''Mad About You'' *Ira Gaines, fictional character in the American television series '' 24'' *Ira S. Glicksberg or Sensei Ira, a recurring fictional character played by

Lance Krall Lance Krall (born December 9, 1970) is an American producer, screenwriter, and actor of half Vietnamese descent. He became well known after his portrayal as "Kip" in the role in faux-reality show ''The Joe Schmo Show''. He went on to create ...

in the U.S. comedy series, ''

The Office ''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries. The original series o ...

'' *

Ira Goldstein Ira Goldstein is a fictional character played by Steve Mellor (actor), Steve Mellor, who appears in television advertisement, television and radio commercials for ASB Bank in New Zealand. The commercials were screened from January 2000 to October ...

, fictional character in ASB Bank advertisements in New Zealand *Ira Graves, fictional character in an episode of the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Data's "grandfather" *Ira Hath, fictional character in the Wind on Fire Trilogy by William Nicholson *Ira Hogeboom, fictional character in the video game ''

L.A. Noire ''L.A. Noire'' is a 2011 action-adventure video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. Set in 1947 Los Angeles, the game follows detective Cole Phelps's rise among the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department as he so ...

'' *Ira Levinson, fictional character in the 2013

Nicholas Sparks Nicholas Charles Sparks (born December 31, 1965) is an American novelist, screenwriter, and philanthropist. He has published twenty-three novels and two non-fiction books, some of which have been ''New York Times'' bestsellers, with over 115 m ...

novel '' The Longest Ride'', portrayed by

Alan Alda Alan Alda (; born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo; January 28, 1936) is an American actor, screenwriter, and director. A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner, he is best known for playing Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the war come ...

and Jack Huston in the 2015 filmhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt2726560/ of the same name *Ira Lowenstein, fictional character portrayed by

David Strathairn David Russell Strathairn (; born January 26, 1949) is an American actor. Known for his leading roles on stage and screen, he has often portrayed historical figures such as Edward R. Murrow, J. Robert Oppenheimer, William H. Seward, and John Do ...

in the movie ''

A League of Their Own ''A League of Their Own'' is a 1992 American sports comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The film stars Tom Hanks, Geena ...

'' *Ira Poppus, a character in the 1992 TV comedy '' Revenge of the Nerds III'' *Ira Rosenbloom, fictional character portrayed by

Richard Kind Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor and comedian, known for his roles as Dr. Mark Devanow in ''Mad About You'' (1992–1999, 2019), Paul Lassiter in ''Spin City'' (1996–2002), Andy in ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' (2002 ...

in the TV series ''

Young Sheldon ''Young Sheldon'' is an American coming-of-age sitcom television series created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro for CBS. The series, set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, is a spin-off prequel to ''The Big Bang Theory'' and begins with the ...

'' *Ira Shalowitz, a character in the 1991 American comedy film ''

City Slickers ''City Slickers'' is a 1991 American comedy film, directed by Ron Underwood and starring Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, and Jack Palance, with supporting roles by Patricia Wettig, Helen Slater, and Noble Willingham with Jake G ...

'' *Ira Wright, fictional character portrayed by

Seth Rogen Seth Aaron Rogen (; born April 15, 1982) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian and filmmaker. Originally a stand-up comedian in Vancouver, he moved to Los Angeles for a part in Judd Apatow's series '' Freaks and Geeks'', and then got a part o ...

in the comedy film, ''

Funny People ''Funny People'' is a 2009 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Judd Apatow, co-produced by Apatow Productions and Madison 23 Productions, and starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann with Eric Bana, Jonah Hill and Jas ...

References

{{given name Hebrew masculine given names Indian masculine given names Polynesian masculine given names Sanskrit-language names Unisex given names

Biblical

People

Fiction

See also

References