Irena: a female name of Greek origin meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony".It derives from the Greek word "eiríni > eirḗnē".
Irena has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Greek roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Irena
Quick facts about Irena
Origin
Greek
Gender
Girl name
Popularity
Moderately popular
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time.
Etymology & Details
Name Root
eiríni > eirḗnē
Other Scripts
Bulgarian / Serbian (Ирена)
How to Pronounce Irena
Irena is pronounced /aɪˈrɛn.ə/(Greek)
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Ir-en-a
Say it like: "IR-EN-A"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Irena enjoys international appeal, used in 16 different linguistic and cultural contexts including norwegian, icelandic, croatian, and many others. This widespread adoption reflects its universal resonance.
Irena means "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time.". The name comes from eiríni > eirḗnē. In its original form, the name derives from eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη). This greek name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Irena for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Irena's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance. The name is associated with qualities like GREEK MYTHOLOGY / RELIGION (SAINTS), reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name Irena?
Irena is a greek name. The name traces back to eiríni > eirḗnē. The original form eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Irena is written as Bulgarian / Serbian (Ирена). From its greek roots, Irena spread to become common in norwegian, icelandic, croatian, serbian and other cultures. The greek meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Irena a boy or girl name?
Irena is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In greek tradition, Irena has historically been given to girls. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Irena?
Irena is pronounced "/aɪˈrɛn.ə/". This pronunciation follows el language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Bulgarian / Serbian (Ирена), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Irena is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in norwegian, icelandic, croatian, where the name is also used. Local accents and language rules can shift certain sounds while keeping the name recognizable. If you're unfamiliar with greek names, listening to a native speaker say Irena can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root eiríni > eirḗnē influences how Irena sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Irena?
Irena is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Irena offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Irena's popularity may vary between greek communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Irena holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Irena commonly used?
Irena spans multiple cultures, including norwegian, icelandic, croatian, and 13 other traditions. Though greek in origin, Irena found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. Names that work across multiple cultures, like Irena, often have straightforward pronunciation and positive meanings that translate well. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Irena into their naming traditions. A child named Irena will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Irena is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of Irena?
Irena carries associations with GREEK MYTHOLOGY / RELIGION (SAINTS). These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “eiríni (ειρήνη) eirḗnē (εἰρήνη),” meaning “peace, tranquility, harmony.” The Roman equivalent was “Pax.” Eirene in Greek Mythology was one of the Horae and the personification of peace. She is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Irene and its variants were also the names of an 8th-century Byzantine empress, as well as several saints. The name has always been trendy among the people of the Christian faith. In English, the name “Irene” did not become common until the 19th-century. In Greek mythology, the Horae (Greek: Ὧραι, ‘seasons’) were the goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In greek culture, where Irena originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Irena sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Irena often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In norwegian communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.