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Irene as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Irene

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The baby name Irene is a Female name , 23 syllables long and is pronounced English: /aɪˈriːn/ (eye-REEN); Modern Greek: /iˈrini/ (ee-REE-nee); Russian/Slavic (Irina): /iˈrʲinə/ (ee-REE-nah).

Irene is Greek in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 23.0
Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: English: /aɪˈriːn/ (eye-REEN); Modern Greek: /iˈrini/ (ee-REE-nee); Russian/Slavic (Irina): /iˈrʲinə/ (ee-REE-nah)

What is the meaning of the name Irene ?

The baby name Irene is a Female name , 23 syllables long and is pronounced English: /aɪˈriːn/ (eye-REEN); Modern Greek: /iˈrini/ (ee-REE-nee); Russian/Slavic (Irina): /iˈrʲinə/ (ee-REE-nah).

Irene is Greek in Origin.

Irene descends from Greek Eirēnē, “peace,” the name of the Horae’s goddess who personified civic harmony in classical Athens. Early Christianity embraced it through several martyrs and ascetics - most notably Irene of Thessalonica and Irene Chrysovalantou - seeding the name across the Byzantine world, where Empress Irene of Athens (8th–9th c.) made it politically prominent. Medieval and early modern Europe transmitted it via calendars and hagiographies, and English usage revived strongly in the 19th century’s taste for classical names.

International forms include Greek Eirini/Irini, French Irène, Russian Irina (diminutive Ira), Ukrainian/Belarusian Iryna, Polish/Czech/Slovene Irena, and pan-Romance Irene in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. English typically says eye-REEN, with the older three-syllable eye-REE-nee also attested; Spanish and Italian favor ee-REH-neh. Nicknames span Rena, Renie, and Rina. Across languages, the steadfast meaning remains “peace,” giving Irene a tranquil, timeless resonance.

Irene has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Irene

Irène Joliot-Curie Politician · Born 1897 · France Irène Joliot-Curie was a French scientist best known for her work in chemistry, particularly for discovering artificial radioactivity alongside her husband, Frédéric Joliot-Curie. She was the daughter of Marie Curie and continued her family's legacy by contributing significantly to the field of nuclear science. Irene of Athens Politician · Born 752 · Byzantine Empire Irene of Athens was a Byzantine empress who is most famous for becoming the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire in her own right. She played a crucial role in restoring the veneration of icons, which had been banned in the empire. Her reign marked a significant period in Byzantine history, particularly for her efforts in religious and political reforms. Irene Papas Actor · Born 1929 · Greece Irene Papas was a Greek actor best known for her powerful performances in films like 'Zorba the Greek' and 'The Guns of Navarone'. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she became a symbol of Greek cinema. Papas also starred in 'Electra', showcasing her talent in both classical and contemporary roles.
Irene Bedard Actor · Born 1967 · United States Irene Bedard is an American actor best known for voicing the character Pocahontas in Disney's animated film 'Pocahontas'. She has also appeared in films like 'Smoke Signals' and 'The New World'. Born in 1967, she has been a prominent figure in bringing Native American stories to the screen. Irene Worth Actor · Born 1916 · United States Irene Worth was an acclaimed American actress best known for her work on stage and in films. She gained significant recognition for her roles in productions like 'Sweet Bird of Youth' and 'Lost in Yonkers', showcasing her exceptional talent and versatility. Irene Escolar Actor · Born 1988 · Spain Irene Escolar is a Spanish actor best known for her role in the film 'The Invisible Guest'. She has also appeared in 'An Autumn Without Berlin' and the television series 'The Ministry of Time'.

Celebrity babies named Irene

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Irene Marcos-Araneta Imelda Marcos singer ★★★★★
Irene Fornaciari Zucchero singer ★★★★★

Irene – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
SG Girls 0 #8 3,908 18,916
CY Girls 0 #13 252 3,755
KR Girls 0 #15 1 572
BW 0 #16 4 960
TW 0 #19 90 4,523
CY 0 #22 42 1,632
SG 0 #22 395 11,010
PH 0 #24 76 5,607
MO 0 #25 28 2,706
BN 0 #27 6 2,297
MY Girls 0 #28 5,445 24,821
NA 0 #28 6 2,537
ID 0 #29 11 2,238
MV Girls 0 #30 6 2,021
TW Girls 0 #31 488 8,139
BI Girls 0 #32 2 726
PH Girls 0 #32 780 13,098
CM 0 #34 22 2,592
GR Girls 0 #34 408 6,293
EE 0 #36 2 1,051
CM Girls 0 #37 1,793 11,671
HK Girls 0 #37 3,309 16,104
HN Girls 0 #37 2 884
ID Girls 0 #37 63 3,319
Spain Girls 0 #38 20,241 5,561
BN Girls 0 #40 73 5,459
BI Boys 0 #42 3 917
MT 0 #42 2 1,767
BW Girls 0 #44 118 4,216
IT Girls 2019 #46 865 47
AO Girls 0 #54 216 4,575
MY 0 #55 377 12,352
Spain 0 #56 1,290 2,326
AO 0 #57 20 2,729
LU 0 #60 7 2,830
MO Girls 0 #61 268 7,056
HK 0 #63 478 8,483
CN 0 #71 15 3,857
IT Girls 0 #71 44,238 9,415
GH Girls 0 #73 744 6,973
GR 0 #73 66 3,911
JP 0 #73 5 4,057
Austria Girls 0 #75 1,194 1,885
BG 0 #82 1 1,799
CR 0 #86 73 5,526
NL Girls 0 #86 4,249 5,933
PT Girls 0 #88 1,558 7,952
NA Girls 0 #89 156 7,146
QA 0 #89 12 7,011
MD Girls 0 #91 2 865
CR Girls 0 #92 1,172 11,342
KZ 0 #92 3 1,452
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
IT 0 #97 3,560 4,183
MT Girls 0 #99 53 3,773
OM 0 #100 17 6,215
OM Girls 0 #100 357 15,987
MU Girls 0 #101 365 8,539
SD 0 #101 2 2,130
KW 0 #102 15 5,216
MX Girls 0 #102 9,122 17,781
EC 0 #104 12 2,502
DK Girls 0 #106 359 7,429
GE Girls 0 #108 1 1,564
ZA Girls 0 #108 4,868 25,928
MU 0 #111 26 3,613
KW Girls 0 #113 592 19,177
PA 0 #113 18 3,797
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
LU Girls 0 #115 76 4,850
CN Girls 0 #116 353 8,829
EC Girls 0 #116 141 3,650
NL 0 #116 365 2,481
QA Girls 0 #116 222 15,378
Norway Girls 2025 #123 4 453
EE Girls 0 #126 13 1,888
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
Switzerland Girls 2024 #133 3 1,786
BR Girls 0 #133 3,909 12,708
PR Girls 0 #134 28 3,171
Austria 0 #138 79 850
AE 0 #140 38 10,220
AE Girls 0 #140 548 20,968
CL Girls 0 #141 3,233 14,098
GH 0 #144 111 5,396
BO Girls 0 #147 1,208 9,488
PE Girls 0 #150 3,360 14,861
UY 0 #151 27 2,477
BW Boys 0 #153 2 4,685
DK 0 #157 47 5,198
Finland Girls 0 #159 479 1,368
PT 0 #160 96 4,161
Germany Girls 0 #164 2,241 4,949
AR 0 #167 20 2,915
RU 0 #172 18 3,641
SI Girls 0 #176 2 2,769
Sweden Girls 2022 #177 3 1,568
PR Boys 0 #178 1 2,508
AR Girls 0 #179 1,018 8,289
PA Girls 0 #179 420 9,861
HR 0 #181 1 2,081
NG Girls 0 #184 1,817 15,093
UY Girls 0 #184 598 6,731
Finland Girls 2026 #188 2,363 3,895
JP Girls 0 #192 54 6,592
PS 0 #196 23 5,692
NG 0 #197 69 5,926
LT Girls 0 #200 1 1,904
GT Girls 0 #203 413 7,500
CO Girls 0 #210 3,940 16,140
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
HU Girls 0 #220 6 3,308
Finland 0 #221 89 830
RU Girls 0 #221 434 11,913
AL Girls 0 #226 2 4,141
BG Girls 0 #226 6 3,559
MO Boys 0 #233 2 5,842
JM Girls 0 #237 23 7,507
Canada Girls 2024 #238 48 2,795
BD 0 #241 1 5,992
MX 0 #243 184 8,339
EC Boys 0 #246 1 3,322
AO Boys 0 #248 2 5,568
PE 0 #248 63 6,350
IL 0 #249 26 6,291
NA Boys 0 #249 5 6,830
ZA 0 #250 202 14,421
BO 0 #255 127 6,868
TW Boys 0 #256 1 7,111
SA 0 #257 39 10,560
SA Girls 0 #264 1,021 25,931
GT 0 #270 45 5,948
BR 0 #272 74 5,969
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
Germany 0 #276 168 2,542
HR Girls 0 #276 14 3,687
KZ Girls 0 #283 38 5,862
JO Girls 0 #292 34 7,570
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
CZ Boys 0 #305 1 6,530
CL 0 #310 103 6,867
CN Boys 0 #325 7 9,639
CZ Girls 0 #326 16 5,378
GH Boys 0 #330 16 8,138
DK Boys 0 #332 1 7,401
SD Girls 0 #335 11 7,678
PL Girls 0 #336 19 5,096
PL Boys 0 #339 2 6,459
CO 0 #342 143 7,768
MU Boys 0 #366 4 8,477
EG 0 #371 30 6,387
PT Boys 0 #373 9 7,951
BD Girls 0 #375 12 8,413
JO Boys 0 #387 3 7,057
YE 0 #390 9 8,639
France Girls 2021 #394 12 3,185
PS Girls 0 #394 133 10,981
BH 0 #397 157 17,937
PH Boys 0 #400 9 11,440
UY Boys 0 #408 6 5,922
IL Girls 0 #439 184 11,648
AR Boys 0 #450 18 7,628
CM Boys 0 #451 100 12,054
GT Boys 0 #462 13 7,625
PA Boys 0 #463 19 9,305
United States Girls 2024 #503 461 8,487
CR Boys 0 #503 8 10,188
HK Boys 0 #504 24 12,905
IR Girls 0 #513 18 8,334
IQ Girls 0 #517 9 11,303
LY 0 #524 12 12,703
RU Boys 0 #524 3 12,621
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
BO Boys 0 #565 28 9,244
IR Boys 0 #565 1 10,162
IN Girls 0 #580 52 13,121
LB 0 #616 43 13,263
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
CL Boys 0 #644 22 13,390
SG Boys 0 #677 21 17,960
IQ Boys 0 #692 6 13,071
QA Boys 0 #696 12 18,093
BR Boys 0 #708 44 12,213
EG Girls 0 #734 229 14,742
KW Boys 0 #746 24 18,755
SY 0 #766 2 11,684
TN 0 #807 23 13,765
PE Boys 0 #828 51 14,506
Spain Boys 0 #832 99 5,610
MX Boys 0 #879 104 16,355
CO Boys 0 #884 37 15,656
United States Boys 2023 #894 5 7,053
NG Boys 0 #900 52 16,906
OM Boys 0 #910 9 17,948
EG Boys 0 #920 6 15,035
Germany Boys 0 #939 14 5,697
IN Boys 0 #1,039 1 16,750
MY Boys 0 #1,078 34 25,439
MA 0 #1,088 41 20,986
ZA Boys 0 #1,110 69 25,619
AE Boys 0 #1,136 8 22,615
DZ 0 #1,158 19 20,130
TR 0 #1,166 46 19,440
IT Boys 0 #1,257 215 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,593 22 28,008

Irene is popular in 90 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
Ireland
Canada
Switzerland
United States

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Irene

Irene is predominantly a girl's name.
Irene is a 23 syllable name, pronounced English: /aɪˈriːn/ (eye-REEN); Modern Greek: /iˈrini/ (ee-REE-nee); Russian/Slavic (Irina): /iˈrʲinə/ (ee-REE-nah).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Eirene, Eirini, Irène, Irena, Irina and Iryna.
Across languages, Irene has these equivalents: Paz (Spanish — 'peace'), Pax (Latin — 'peace'), Shanti (Sanskrit — 'peace'), Salome/Salomé (from Hebrew 'shalom' — 'peace'), Frida/Frieda (Germanic 'frid' — 'peace'), and 1 more.
Yes, very popular — Irene ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 11 countries.
Irene ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Irene's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 10 notable people named Irene are in our database, including Irène Joliot-Curie (Politician), Irene of Athens (Politician), Irene Papas (Actor).
Yes — at least 2 celebrity couples have chosen Irene for their child, including Imelda Marcos.