35 Baby Names That Begin With "I"

Ice cream, iced coffee, iguana, Iron Man—there are a ton of great things that start with the letter "I," and your baby's name could be one of them. The iconic vowel offers up a variety of options to help your little one stand out from the crowd.

From the classic Inez, which actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively chose for their daughter, to more unconventional names such as Idris or Inara, your baby boy or girl will have a fun, unique name to match their unique personality.

Ian

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: God is gracious
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ean, Eann, Eion, Iann, Iain, Ion
• Famous Namesakes: English author of the the "James Bond" spy novels, Ian Fleming, and English actor Ian McKellen
• Peak Popularity: Ian has been in the top 100 baby names for boys since 1982 and reached peak popularity in the early 2000s.

Ida

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Hardworking
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Idella, Iida
• Famous Namesakes: Perhaps the most well-known person with the name Ida is African American journalist, abolitionist, and feminist, Ida B. Wells.
• Peak Popularity: Ida was most popular among baby girls in the early 1900s, and in 1930 dropped out of the top 100 names. Its last appearance on the charts was in 1986 when it sat at No. 996.

Idris

• Origin: Welsh, Arabic
• Meaning: Studious, Lord
• Famous Namesakes: The most well-known person with this name is the popular English actor, Idris Elba.
• Peak Popularity: Idris broke into the top 1,000 baby boy names in 2018, and in 2021 it ranked No. 856.

Iggy

• Origin: British
• Meaning: Fiery one
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iggie
• Famous Namesakes: Australian female rapper Iggy Azalea, and American musician Iggy Pop
• Peak Popularity: Iggy has yet to make the top 1,000 names in the United States and remains fairly uncommon.

Ignacio

• Origin: Spanish
• Meaning: Fiery
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Egnatius, Ignazio, Inácio
• Famous Namesakes: Perhaps the most well-known person with this name is Ignacio Allende, who was a Mexican independence leader in the early 1800s.
• Peak Popularity: Ignacio reached peak popularity in the 1920s, but as of 2021, remained in the top 1,000 names for baby boys at No. 981.

Ike

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Laughter
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ike is commonly known as a nickname for Isaac and Isaiah.
• Famous Namesakes: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President, went by the nickname, Ike.
• Peak Popularity: The most popular year for the name Ike was 1900. In 1957, it dropped out of the top 1,000 names for baby boys.

Iker

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: Visitation
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ike is a common nickname.
• Peak Popularity: Iker broke into the top 1,000 baby boy names in 2010, and its most popular year so far was 2015.

Imani

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: Faith
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Emani
• Famous Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Imani Coppola is the most well-known person with this name.
• Peak Popularity: Imani began to gain popularity in 1990, and its most popular year was 1996.

Immanuel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is with us
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Emmanuel
• Famous Namesakes: The most notable person with this name is Filipino boxing legend Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao.
• Peak Popularity: Emmanuel broke into the top 500 names for boys in 1978, and its most popular year was 2009.

Inaya

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: Concern or care
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Inaaya
• Peak Popularity: Inaya still remains outside the top 1,000 names in the United States, making it fairly uncommon.

Inara

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: Illuminating or shining
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Enara, Eynara, Inarah
• Peak Popularity: Inara is typically used for girls and is still relatively uncommon.

Indiana

• Origin: American
• Meaning: Land of the Indians
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Indianna
• Famous Namesakes: The most well-known person with this name is the fictional character Indiana Jones from the American film series of the same name.
• Peak Popularity: Indiana may have gained popularity after the release of the film "Raiders Of The Lost Ark," but it has still not reached the top 1,000 names in the United States.

Indie

• Origin: American
• Meaning: Independent
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Indy
• Famous Namesakes: Indie Shay Lewis, the daughter of American musician Aaron Lewis, is perhaps the most well-known person with this name.
• Peak Popularity: Indie broke onto the popularity scene as a girl's name in 2019. Its most popular year so far is 2021.

Indira

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Meaning: Splendid
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Indeera, Indiara, Indra, Indre, Indria
• Famous Namesakes: Former prime minister of India Indira Ghandi
• Peak Popularity: Indira has not broken into the top 1,000, and remains relatively uncommon.
  

Inez

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Pure
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ines, Ynez
• Famous Namesakes: Inez Reynolds, the daughter of Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actress Blake Lively
• Peak Popularity: Inez is a classic name for girls, with its most popular year being 1909.

Ingrid

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: Beautiful
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Inga, Inger, Ingerid, Ingri
• Famous Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman
• Peak Popularity: The most popular year for Ingrid was 1967.

Ira

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Watchful
• Famous Namesakes: The fictional male character Ira Buchman from the television series "Mad About You" is one of the most well-known Iras.
• Peak Popularity: Ira is considered a gender-neutral name, although it has been much more popular for boys. Its peak popularity was during the early 1900s, but as of 2021, still remains in the top 1,000 baby boy names.

Ireland

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: Land of abundance
• Famous Namesakes: American model Ireland Baldwin and daughter of actor Alec Baldwin is well-known for having this unique name.
• Peak Popularity: The most popular years for Ireland were 1998 and 2009.

Irene

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Peace
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eireen, Eirena, Eirene, Ireen, Iren
• Famous Namesakes: Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace
• Peak Popularity: Irene stayed in the top 50 names for girls from 1900 to 1934, and its popularity has steadily declined since; however, as of 2021, it still remains in the top 1,000 names.

Iris

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Rainbow
• Famous Namesakes: American actress Iris Apatow is a notable person with this name.
• Peak Popularity: Iris has been on the radar for baby girls since 1900, and its most popular year to date is 2021.

Irving

• Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
• Meaning: Green or fresh water
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Irvine
• Famous Namesakes: Although it's his last name, NBA basketball player Kyrie Irving is perhaps the most famous modern person associated with this name.
• Peak Popularity: The most popular year for Irving was 1911.

Irwin

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Boar friend
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Irwyn, Erwyn, Everwyn
• Famous Namesakes: American film and TV producer and director Irwin Allen, American playwright and screenwriter Irwin Shaw
• Peak Popularity: Irwin reached peak popularity in 1931.

Isaac

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: One who laughs
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Isaak, Isaack, Issac, Itzhak
• Famous Namesakes: The most famous person with this name is physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton, who developed the principles of modern physics.
• Peak Popularity: Isaac began to gain popularity in the mid-1990s and has ranked in the top 50 names for boys since 2001. Its most popular year to date is 2013.

Isabella

• Origin: Hebrew, Spanish, Italian
• Meaning: God is my oath
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elizabeth, Elisheba, Isabel, Isabele, Isabelita, Isabelle
• Famous Namesakes: Italian actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini, and Holy Roman Empress Isabella of Portugal, who governed as Regent of Spain
  
• Peak Popularity: Isabella became wildly popular in the early 2000s, reaching the No. 1 spot for baby girls in 2009 and 2010. As of 2021, it still remains in the top 10 names.

Isadora

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Gift of Isis
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Isidora
• Famous Namesakes: American dancer Isadora Duncan and Brazilian-American figure skater Isadora Williams
• Peak Popularity: Isadora is still fairly uncommon, remaining outside of the top 1,000 names for baby girls.

Isaiah

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God Saves
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Esaiah, Essaiah, Isaia, Isiah
• Famous Namesakes: American actor Isaiah Washington and retired NBA basketball player Isiah Thomas
• Peak Popularity: Isaiah broke into the top 100 names for boys in 1996, and has continued to remain moderately popular. Its most popular year was 2006 when it reached No. 39.

Ishmael

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God will hear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ismaal, Ismal, Ismat, Ismay, Ismayl, Isme
• Famous Namesakes: In the Bible, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham and is considered a patriarch of Islam
• Peak Popularity: Most recently, Ishmael reached peak popularity in 1997 before falling off the popularity charts.

Isla

• Origin: Scottish, Spanish
• Meaning: Island
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ila, Iyla
• Famous Namesakes: English actress and singer Isla Blair and Australian actress Isla Fisher
• Peak Popularity: Isla began gaining traction for baby girls in 2018, and its most popular year was 2021 when it reached No. 33.

Israel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Fighter of God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yisrael, Yisroel 
• Famous Namesakes: Nigerian-New Zealand mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya
  
• Peak Popularity: Israel became more popular in the early 2000s and reached peak popularity in 2006.

Itzel

• Origin: Native-American
• Meaning: Rainbow
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Itzela, Itzele, Itzell, Itzella, Itzelle
• Peak Popularity: Itzel made the top 1,000 names for baby girls in 1993 and has gradually increased in popularity, reaching No. 561 in 2021.

Ivan

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God's gracious gift
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Evan, Ivann, Iven, Ivon
• Famous Namesakes: TV director, producer, and screenwriter Ivan Reitman and Russian ruler Ivan IV, also known as "Ivan the Terrible"
• Peak Popularity: Ivan has remained moderately popular for over a century. It reached peak popularity in 2012.
  

Ivory

• Origin: English
• Meaning: White, from the tusk of an elephant
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ivorea, Ivoreah, Ivoree, Ivoreen, Ivorey, Ivori, Ivorie,
• Famous Namesakes: American sprint athlete Ivory Williams and American WNBA basketball player Ivory Latta
• Peak Popularity: The most popular year for Ivory was 2021 when it ranked No. 568 for girls.

Ivy

• Origin: English, Latin
• Meaning: Vine
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ivee, Ivey, Ivie
• Peak Popularity: The most popular year for Ivy was 2021 when it broke into the top 50 names for baby girls at No. 49.

Izekiel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Strength of God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ezekiel, Ezequiel
• Famous Namesakes: In the Bible, Ezekiel was known as a Hebrew prophet.
• Peak Popularity: The variant Ezekiel has become more popular in recent years, and in 2021, it reached No. 53 for baby boys.