I-Initial Names: Eyes on the ‘I’s’
Now that Isabella is #2 on the list of most popular girls’ names, Isaac and Isaiah are in the Top 50 for boys, and names like Isla are heating up, we’re wondering if the letter ‘I’ just might be in line to become the next vowel du jour, moving up on ‘A’ and ‘E’.
This didn’t seem a very likely prospect a few years ago, when, as recently as  1995, there wasn’t a single name starting with ‘I’ in the Top 100. On the plus side, this means that there is a whole letter-full of neglected, waiting to be discovered, rediscovered and ready-to-be imported names. And it’s a nice initial for a child to have, straight and strong and tied up with identity and ego.
The following girls names are the most fashion forward, either already being appreciated or else on the cusp:
And some still not in  the mainstream:
And a few that time has left behind:
There are fewer viable I-choices for the boys. Those most often heard today:
Those further out of the mainstream:
And those, at least momentarily,  lost to time:
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25 Responses to “I-Initial Names: Eyes on the ‘I’s’”
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Charlotte Vera Says:
Sherri Says:
Haha.. my last name is Inness… I didn’t know that people used that for a first name!
As far as boy’s names go… I think that for the most part, I don’t really like “I” names for boys. It just seems like a very girly letter to me. Not to mention there’s not a single boy’s name on this list that I find appealing lol
Abby@AppMtn Says:
I love Iris and Ivy, and my grandmother was Irene. My kids have a cousin Ignace (in Poland) and we’ve considered Ignatius, nn Nate, ourselves.
But my real love from this list? Icarus! I’d never dare, but what a cool name.
Corinne Says:
I’ve got Isla, Iris, Ivy, and Ian on my shortlists for boys and girls!
I do love ‘I’ names and wish I could use Isabel, Imogen, and Isaac.
Steph Says:
My 5 year old son is named Ian and I love it now more than ever….simple, sleek, and still unusual here in our rural area
pippa Says:
I love Isadora, India and Isa. Just lovely. I would love to use India but the colonialist overtones do give me pause…
Diana Says:
I love the I names. Here is another that I would like to mention. I doubt that anyone here would be likely to know it. It is an Indian name from Mexico and it’s the name of my Husband’s niece. Itzel. I don’t think that’s exactly how you spell it, but phonetically it is correct. I love this name! Don’t like the name of their second daughter much though….Miraslava! Laura you might like to check out some of the Mexican names. I’m sure they would surprise you. Not the common ones that everyone knows, but the lesser used ones.
susan Says:
I love Iris, Isaac, and Indio. Indio isn’t on the list, but I have seen it in your books before.
Victoria Says:
I adore Isolde but my hubhy hates it. He says that he only hears Is Old
JNE Says:
Of course, I love Imogen, but also really like Isadora, Ivy, Ingrid, and Ilsa. Ina makes me instantly think of Ina Garten, the Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. For the boys, I especially like Isaac – one we considered for this baby, but we decided not to do two “I” names, and also Ignacio (Iggy is a great nickname). Irving is pretty cool to – it definitely appeals. Definitely love the “I” names!
Sarah Says:
Iphigenia? Hah! I can see it now…
“Mom, Dad?”
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Dave and I have decided to name the baby Iphigenia!”
*silence*
That would be hilarious.
Sarah Says:
But on a more serious note, I love Imogen, India (would LOVE to use this one day), Indigo (always pictured it on a boy, though), Ingrid, Isobel, Isla, Ivy, Isabeau, Isolde, Ila, Ike, Isaac, and Ignatius. Somebody loves ‘I’ names.
Isaac would also be fun to use since Isaac was the Biblical son of my namesake, Sarah.
Eleonara Says:
I’ve had a passion for I names for what feels like forever, my absolute favourites are
Imogen – makes me think Imagine, endless possibilities, who wouldn’t want that?
Iris – my great aunts name, love it
Ivy – we came so close to naming our first daughter this, like, pen in hand, signing the certificate.
Ashley S. Says:
I have an Isla and I really lobbied for Ivy for our third but my husband overruled me. He claimed the “I”s were taking over!
Tirzah Says:
I have a daughter named Indigo. A sleek I beginning with a hip O ending. Plus a cool nickname Indie. It’s got a nice global feel too. I’m in love!
Leah Says:
We’re thinking about Ilan for our son, its a fairly common name in France, from the Hebrew word for tree. Unusual, but not shocking I think
Ivory Says:
I am an Ivory, and have always loved that my name is common enough that no one messes up the pronunciation, but also unique enough that the only other Ivory I’ve ever met was a man in his 60s.
lorencs3 Says:
Another Mexican “I” name that I find really attractice is Isela. I’ve never seen it on a child though. I’m not wild about Itzel but at least it’s much easier to pronounce than another popular indigenous-inspired name, Xochitl. Also I like Isaura but associate it immediately with that telenovela Isaura the Slave Girl.
Janine Says:
I adore the name Indigo. Lovelovelove it. Ivy, Iris, Ivory and Ianthe are some that I like too.
Anna Says:
My favourites include
Ida, Isadora, Iris, Isobel, Imogen, Io & Ivo, Indigo & Ira.
UrbanAngel Says:
Imogen sort of appeals to me. I feel like I should love it- but can’t. I ADORE Isla and truly hope to use it one day. Indianna is just infectious. Indigo has grown on me a lot and Indie is just adorable. Ismay is interesting, and cute in a Celtic way. Not one I would use
The only male name that I like or don’t mind is Ian.The girl names are a lot more appealing
spotlightstarlit Says:
Some of these flow effortlessly while others in this ipod nation look like the ‘I’ was tacked on as an afterthought…I’m torn.
anna.bliss Says:
I am in love with I names right now. Ivy and Isadora are my favorites followed by Iris and Isla
shyshutterbug Says:
I was a hair’s breadth away from being an Ivy. I like Ivy well enough, but it’s not landing on any of my kids’ birth certificates. I do like Ian and Ireland. I adore Ione (eye-OHN, absolutely NOT eye-OH-nee) – it was my grandmother’s middle name.
hollyduemmel Says:
I named my daughter Irie and I absolutely love it! Is so unique amd fits her perfect
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Awww, I like Ira!
Imogen is my most favourite of favourite girls’ names, but sadly, the husband says “No!”. I can still hope and dream. . .