Woman names beginning with I match proper in with so many vowel-forward decisions.
In spite of everything, A is the most well-liked letter for women’ names, with E proper behind. The letter I ranks twelfth – halfway by means of the alphabet.
And but, there simply aren’t that many child lady names beginning with I. And, in contrast to Amelia/Emilia or Olivia/Alivia, comparatively few women’ names can swap an I for one more vowel – no less than as the primary preliminary – with out altering pronunciation.
(I and Y do usually swap locations … however given how uncommon Y is, that doesn’t actually change a lot.)
And so I names for women stay a extremely curated set. Whereas a few of these decisions are true chart-toppers – together with a former #1 identify! – loads of uncommon gems await, too.
Learn on for a few of the most intriguing lady names beginning with I.
I NAMES FOR GIRLS IN THE US TOP 1000
ISABELLA (#7)
A High Ten identify since 2004, and #1 from 2009 to 2010, regal and romantic Isabella is a generation-defining identify.
ISLA (#33)
Scottish Isla caught American mother and father’ consideration because of actor Isla Fisher. It suits proper in with names American mother and father love, like Mia and Ella.
IVY (#38)
An ecovintage darling, Ivy’s center v simply provides to this identify’s enchantment.
IRIS (#78)
One other attractive nature identify, refined Iris nonetheless brings to thoughts the 1998 Goo Goo Dolls’ energy ballad by the identify.
ISABELLE (#159)
Isabella is the chart-topper, however the barely shorter Isabelle has had an excellent run, too.
ISABEL (#164)
Isabelle adopted Isabella, and the identical is true for the even sparer Isabel.
ITZEL (#364)
It could be a model of Ixchel, a Mayan goddess identify.
IMANI (#476)
A Swahili phrase which means religion, Imani can be the seventh precept of winter vacation Kwanzaa.
IZABELLA (#483)
A creatively-spelled spin on Isabella, one which makes the nickname Izzy a bit extra apparent.
IVORY (#520)
A mixture of Avery and Ivy, Ruby and Aria, Ivory is musical, colourful, and with a classy sound, too.
INDIE (#579)
A sparky, spirited identify in the important thing of Sadie, one that implies independence.
IVANNA (#589)
A female type of Ivan, that makes Ivanna certainly one of many names associated to the enduring John.
IYLA (#601)
Most frequently a phonetic spelling of Isla, influenced by the favored Ayla. However in no less than one case, it’s totally different. English pop star Steve Hart and actor Ashley Scott named their youthful daughter Iyla Vue – “I really like you” – in 2015.
ILA (#620)
It may very well be a spare spelling of Isla, however Ila additionally means “earth” in Sanskrit. The identify seems in Hindu legend as each masculine and female.
ISABELA (#655)
Another Isabella identify makes the US High 1000.
IRENE (#674)
A conventional favourite with a robust which means: peace.
INAYA (#736)
From Arabic, Inaya means care or concern, and appears fairly a bit like many trendy names, too.
ILIANA (#827)
In a number of languages Elias and Elijah are spelled with an I as a substitute of an E. Iliana advanced as a female type of Elias in these languages, but it surely may be invented in our Eliana/Lilianna second.
IVEY (#851)
One other spelling for fast-rising favourite Ivy.
INDY (#918)
Informal, breezy Indy-with-a-Y is following Indie-with-an-IE into better use.
INDIGO (#964)
As soon as among the many extra distinctive lady names, Indigo suits proper in with Navy – and Scarlett and Olive and Rose, too.
RARE & VINTAGE GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH I
IANNA
A Greek cousin to Gianna, making this one other female type of John.
IANTHE
The identify of an ocean nymph in Greek delusion, Ianthe is one other identify which means violet, just like the flower.
IARA
A mermaid-like creature from Brazilian folklore, and cousin to fast-rising Yara.
ICIE
A weather-related winter identify, repeatedly within the US High 1000 within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
IDA
A mini identify with Germanic roots, Ida had an excellent run within the nineteenth century, because of a Tennyson poem turned Gilbert and Sullivan musical.
IDALIA
A uncommon lady identify with a number of origins, and a stunning sound.
IDELLA
Ida meets Bella. This classic alternative ranked within the US High 1000 yearly from 1880 into the Forties, earlier than heading for obscurity.
IDONY
A medieval English type of a Norse goddess identify, associated to springtime and renewal.
ILANA
A Hebrew identify which means tree.
ILONA
Most definitely one other type of Helen, however in Finnish, it coincides with the world “ilo” – pleasure.
ILSA and ILSE
German and Dutch quick types of Elisabeth, Ingrid Bergman made the identify well-known within the unforgettable 1942 film Casablanca.
IMOGEN
This may increasingly have began out as a typo, or it’d’ve been a deliberate re-naming by Shakespeare, Imogen comes from the Celtic Innogen – maiden.
INA
One other mini identify, Ina may very well be quick for any identify ending with -ina. Or it’d stand by itself, as in Meals Community’s celebrated chef Ina Garten.
INDIA
Lengthy a standard identify for British households with ties to the nation, India now suits with our love of place names, in addition to lovely lady names with a flowing, romantic sound. Potential nickname Indie is one other bonus.
INDIANA
There’s fictional explorer Jones, after all, however place identify Indiana – and nickname Indie/Indy – feels completely unisex.
INES
Additionally spelled Inez, it’s the Spanish type of Agnes.
INGARET
Take the Welsh Angharad, combine in a bit little bit of Margaret, and Ingaret is the end result.
INGRID
A stunning Scandi identify with a powerful sound and glam picture, because of Hollywood Golden Age star Ingrid Bergman.
IO
The final word mini identify, a borrowing from Greek delusion and one of many moons of Jupiter.
IOLANTHE
One other I identify for a daughter borrowed from a Gilbert & Sullivan musical, this time associated to violets.
IONA
Possible Scottish in origin, Iona was the Isla of the early twentieth century.
IONE
A sea nymph’s identify in Greek mythology, derived from the phrase for violet.
IRELAND
Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin gave this identify to their now-grown daughter. With place names a lot in favor, Eire suits proper in.
IRINA
A type of Irene seldom heard in English, however acquainted in lots of Euorpean languages.
IRMA
Additionally spelled Erma, this former favourite comes from the identical German roots as Emma.
ISABEAU
A stunning medieval variant of Isabelle.
ISADORA
A logical substitute for Isabella, Isadora means “present of Isis,” as within the Egyptian goddess. Dancer Isadora Duncan is one other worthy reference.
ISANNAH
A reputation straight out of Colonial America, Isannah seems to be a cousin to so many ends-in-annah names, from Hannah to Susannah. It’s a personality identify in Johnny Tremain, retaining the identify alive for brand spanking new generations to find.
ISAURA
A uncommon and historical identify impressed by a area in Asia Minor, Isaura feels a bit like Isabelle meets Laura.
ISOBEL
The Scottish spelling of Isabelle, distinctive and sudden. Enjoyable truth: Downton Abbey’s Isobel Crawley makes use of this spelling.
ISOLDE
A princess from the medieval tales of Arthur, a reputation that’s simply barely acquainted, however seldom heard.
ITALIA and ITALY
A spot identify that’s each bit as wearable as Italy. Italia is solely the the Italian equal. (Although formally, the nation is known as Repubblica Italiana – the Republic of Italy.)
ITZAYANA
Possible a cousin to Itzel, influenced by the recognition of longer, -ana and -anna endings.
IVA
From Ida to Iva, one other mini identify with potential enchantment for fogeys in search of minimalist decisions. Iva has a number of origins and meanings, together with yew tree, willow tree, or perhaps even a female type of John.
What are your favourite lady names beginning with I?
First printed on December 21, 2020, this submit was revised and republished on September 13, 2021; October 24, 2022; September 18, 2023; and June 26, 2024.
