UK name, mostly girls
Irie
A Jamaican name meaning a positive state of being or vibes.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Irie is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Irie popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 15 births.
This profile covers 52 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2006 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 47% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 52 living people in the UK are called Irie. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Irie ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 15 girls were registered as Irie.
- • About 52 living people in the UK are estimated to have Irie as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 94.5% of Irie registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3318
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2023
15 births
Estimated living
52
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Irie
In England and Wales birth records, Irie has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 5.5% of registrations are for boys and 94.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Irie registered for boys
- Ranked #5,119 in 2024
- 3 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (3 births)
Irie registered for girls
- Ranked #3,318 in 2024
- 7 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (15 births)
Meaning
What does Irie mean?
The given name Irie is believed to have originated from the Jamaican Patois language, which is an English-based creole with influences from various African languages. The name is derived from the Rastafarian term "Irie," which means positive, peaceful, or to be at total ease.
The name Irie gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly within the Rastafarian culture and among those associated with the reggae music scene. It is often used as a greeting or to express a sense of contentment and well-being.
While the name itself does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is deeply rooted in the Rastafarian movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s. The Rastafarian culture has had a significant impact on the island's music, language, and overall way of life.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Irie can be found in the 1970s, when it started to gain popularity among Jamaican families. However, it was not until the late 20th century and early 21st century that the name became more widely recognized globally.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the given name Irie. One such person is Irie Selkirk, a Jamaican singer and songwriter born in the 1970s, known for her contributions to the reggae and dancehall genres.
Another individual named Irie is Irie Jones, an American singer and songwriter born in the 1980s, who has gained recognition for her work in the neo-soul and R&B genres.
In the field of athletics, Irie Harris is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) in the early 2000s.
Irie Banton, born in the late 20th century, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist known for his unique style and lyrical prowess.
Lastly, Irie Calhoun is an American actress and model born in the late 20th century, who has appeared in various television shows and films.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Irie over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Irie in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Irie, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Irie by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Irie was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3278 | 32 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4636 | 17 | 4 |
| 2000s | #5061 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Irie
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Irie: questions and answers
How popular is the name Irie in the UK right now?
In 2024, Irie was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Irie most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 15 babies registered as Irie in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Irie?
A Jamaican name meaning a positive state of being or vibes.
How many people are called Irie in the UK?
A total of 52 babies have been registered as Irie across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.