Irwin is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "peace" or "harmony." It is derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," which is a common greeting and farewell in Israel, and also means peace. Irwin is often associated with the concept of tranquility and unity.
The name Irwin has been used for centuries, but it gained popularity during the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States. It was especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching its peak in the latter decade when it was among the top 500 names for boys.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Irwin. One of the most famous is Irwin Shaw, an American novelist and playwright known for his works such as "The Young Lions" and "Bury the Dead." Another notable figure is Irwin Rose, a Canadian-American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 for his work on protein folding.
Irwin has also been used as a surname. In the United Kingdom, it is believed to have originated from Ireland, where it was likely an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Raghallaigh," meaning "descendant of Ragallach." Some sources suggest that Irwin could also be derived from the English word "erewhile," meaning "former" or "at one time."
In popular culture, Irwin has appeared in various forms of media. For instance, there is a character named Irwin in the animated series "The Simpsons," and another in the video game "Final Fantasy VII." Additionally, Irwin has been used as a stage name by several musicians.
Overall, Irwin is an interesting name with a meaningful origin and a rich history. It has been worn by many notable individuals throughout time and continues to be used today.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Irwin reached its peak popularity between 1924 and 1928, with over 500 births each year during this period. The highest number of births recorded was in 1925 with 527 occurrences. However, after the late 1930s, there was a significant decline in the name's popularity, with fewer than 250 births per year from 1940 onwards. In recent years (2009-2023), Irwin has been quite rare, with less than 25 births recorded each year. Overall, Irwin seems to have been a popular name in the early-to-mid 20th century but has since become much less common.