Irena is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is derived from the Greek word "Eirene", which translates to "peace". In ancient times, Eirene was one of the Horae, goddesses who embodied virtues such as harmony and peace.
The name Irena gained popularity in Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic-speaking countries like Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is also used in other parts of Europe, including Russia, Greece, and Germany. In some cases, Irena may be considered a variant spelling of the Greek name Eirene or the Russian name Yelena.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Irena. One such figure is Saint Irene of Tomar, who was a Christian martyr during the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians in the 3rd century AD. She is now venerated as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
Another famous Irena is the Polish nurse Irena Sendler, who became a national heroine for her efforts to save Jewish children from the Holocaust during World War II. Sendler worked undercover with the Polish Council to Aid Jews, smuggling thousands of Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto and providing them with false identities.
The name Irena has been used by several other notable figures in various fields, including literature, politics, and arts. However, it is important to note that this presentation focuses solely on the origin, meaning, and historical significance of the name without referencing any traits or associations linked to individuals who carry it.
The name Irena has been given to a total of 2,127 babies born in the United States between 1880 and 2023, according to available birth records.
During this period, the popularity of the name Irena varied significantly from year to year. The highest number of births recorded in any single year was 32, which occurred in 2018. In contrast, there were years with only a single-digit number of births, such as 5 births in 1941 and 2023.
The decade with the most births named Irena was the 1970s, with a total of 216 births. The lowest decade was the 1880s, with only 67 births. However, it is important to note that birth records may not be complete for earlier years, which could affect these statistics.
The name Irena has seen several peaks and valleys in popularity throughout its history in the United States. It gained significant traction in the mid-20th century, with a notable increase in births from the 1940s onwards. The name's popularity peaked in recent years, reaching its highest point in 2018 before declining slightly in subsequent years.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the fluctuating popularity of the name Irena in the United States over more than a century. Despite variations in popularity, the name has maintained a consistent presence among American baby names throughout this time period.