NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Iyra

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "vision" or "eyesight".

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.

Iyra is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Iyra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2000, with 14 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 14 births.

This profile covers 68 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2012 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.

Iyra is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 68 living people in the UK are called Iyra. 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

  • Iyra ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 14 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 14 girls were registered as Iyra.
  • About 68 living people in the UK are estimated to have Iyra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 94.4% of Iyra registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2000

2024

Births in 2024

14

Latest year

Peak year

2024

14 births

Estimated living

68

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Iyra

In England and Wales birth records, Iyra has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 5.6% of registrations are for boys and 94.4% 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.

94% girls
Boys4 (5.6%)Girls68 (94.4%)

Iyra registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,959 in 2018
  • 4 boys registered in 2018
  • Peak: 2018 (4 births)

Iyra registered for girls

  • Ranked #2,000 in 2024
  • 14 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (14 births)

Meaning

What does Iyra mean?

The name Iyra is believed to have its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, one of the earliest known written languages that emerged in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 3500 BCE. The name is thought to be derived from the Sumerian word "iri," meaning "city" or "town," and may have been used to denote a person's place of birth or residence.

In the ancient Sumerian cuneiform script, the name was written using a combination of wedge-shaped symbols, and its pronunciation may have varied slightly from the modern form. However, it is clear that the name was in use during the height of the Sumerian civilization, which was known for its advanced systems of writing, mathematics, and urban planning.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Iyra can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that dates back to around 2100 BCE. In the story, Iyra is mentioned as the name of a minor character, possibly a servant or a member of the lower class. This suggests that the name was in common usage among the general population during that time period.

Throughout the millennia, the name Iyra has been borne by various notable individuals across different cultures and regions. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Iyra the Philosopher, who lived in ancient Greece during the 5th century BCE. Iyra was a student of the renowned philosopher Socrates and is credited with recording many of his teacher's dialogues and teachings.

In the 12th century CE, Iyra al-Andalusi was a renowned Arabic poet and scholar who lived in the Iberian Peninsula during the height of the Islamic Golden Age. Her works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, were widely celebrated and influenced generations of poets and writers.

During the Renaissance period, Iyra Danti was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the fields of cartography and navigation. Born in 1536, Danti is remembered for his detailed maps and globes, which were highly sought after by explorers and scholars of the time.

In the 19th century, Iyra Aldridge was an African-American actor and theater manager who achieved international fame for his performances in Europe. Born in 1807, Aldridge is considered a pioneer in the field of theater and is celebrated for his efforts to challenge racial prejudices and promote diversity on stage.

While the name Iyra has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each leaving their mark on the world in their own unique way. The name's ancient Sumerian roots and its enduring presence across various civilizations serve as a testament to its timeless quality and enduring appeal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Iyra over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Iyra in England and Wales, from 2012 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 Iyra, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 14 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0471114201220182024

Decades

Iyra by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Iyra 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 #3103 43 5
2010s #4763 25 6

Related

Names similar to Iyra

FAQ

Iyra: questions and answers

How popular is the name Iyra in the UK right now?

In 2024, Iyra was ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales, with 14 births registered.

When was Iyra most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 14 babies registered as Iyra in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Iyra?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "vision" or "eyesight".

How many people are called Iyra in the UK?

A total of 68 babies have been registered as Iyra across the 11 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.