Irene is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "Eirene," which means "peace." The name has been associated with the Greek goddess of peace, Eirene, who was depicted as a woman wearing a long robe and holding a cornucopia and a torch. Irene was also the name of several early Christian saints, including Saint Irene of Thessaloniki, who is celebrated as the patron saint of Greece.
The name Irene has been used throughout history in various cultures. It was popular among European royalty during the Middle Ages, with several queens and princesses being named Irene. In Russia, the name was popularized by Empress Catherine the Great, whose full name was Yekaterina II Alexeievna, but who was often referred to as "Irene" in Western Europe.
Today, Irene remains a popular given name for girls around the world. It is often associated with its meaning of peace and harmony, making it a fitting choice for parents looking for a name that carries a positive and meaningful message. Some notable people named Irene include Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde's mother, Lady Jane Francesca Wilde; American actress Irene Dunne; and Canadian singer-songwriter Inez Jenkin, better known by her stage name, k.d. lang.
Based on the statistical data provided for the name Irene in the United States, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
From 1888 to around 1920, the number of births with the name Irene fluctuated between 5 and 37 per year. The peak during this period was seen in 1922 with 37 births. This suggests that Irene was a relatively popular name for newborn girls during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
However, from around 1926 onwards, there appears to be a decline in the popularity of the name Irene. The number of births with this name varies between 6 and 39 per year until the 1940s. This could indicate a shift in naming trends among parents during this time.
From the 1950s onward, the number of births with the name Irene remains relatively low, ranging from 5 to 19 births per year. The most recent data point available is for the year 2023, with only 5 births recorded for girls named Irene in the United States.
In total, over the years covered by this dataset, there were approximately 1350 births registered for girls named Irene in the United States. While once popular, particularly around the early 20th century, the name Irene has become less common in recent decades, with only a handful of newborn girls receiving this name each year.