Irene

Traditionally linked to the Greek word for ‘peace’.

Irene is a classic feminine given name used in many countries and familiar across generations. It reads as formal in some contexts but remains straightforward to spell in Latin-script languages, which helps it travel well internationally. Etymologically, Irene is commonly traced to Greek Εἰρήνη (often romanized as Eirene or Eirēnē), the Greek word for ‘peace’. This is one of the more stable and widely agreed-upon name etymologies, and it helps explain why the name is often associated with calmness and harmony in later interpretation. Pronunciation in English is commonly eye-REEN, though some speakers say ih-REEN. A practical tip is to confirm the initial vowel sound preference, especially if the person lives in a region where the local pronunciation differs.

Etymology: From Greek Εἰρήνη (Eirēnē), meaning ‘peace’; the Latin/English form is Irene.