Unique Names that Start With I

Soft, unique day of the week name used in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Isnin

The Invictus Games, a multinational sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick armed service personnel, introduced this Latin word and concept to the general population, especially after the games hosted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's budding romance. 
Invictus was first used as a name, as far as we know, by pronatal activists Malcolm and Simone Collins, whose older daughter is named Titan Invictus.
 
'Invictus' is also the title of a powerful poem by William Ernest Henley, ending with the lines "I am the master of my fate:/I am the captain of my soul."

Invictus

Industry was turned from a word into a name by pronatal activists Malcolm and Simone Collins, who gave the name to their fourth child and second daughter, Industry Americus. The Collinses are believers in nominative determinism — your name shapes the person you become. The couple's oldest daughter is named Titan Invictus.

Industry

Blending together Irma and Runa, this German compound name has a distinctive sound and interesting meaning.

Irmrun

Ionatán is the Irish form of the Biblical Jonathan, rare but recognisably linked to the classic. It could make an interesting choice for someone wanting to honor both a Jonathan and Irish heritage.

Ionatán

Sweet but sleek, Ivalene can be considered an elaboration of the international Iva, or a compound name, blending Iva with Arlene, Darlene, Abilene, or similar. Quietly used in the first half of the 20th century, it was also chosen in 2024 but a <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/babyberries-class-of-2024">a Nameberry user</a>.

Ivalene

Ivaylo was first borne by Ivaylo of Bulgaria, a 13th-century Bulgarian tsar, and it is still commonly used in its native country. It comes with the fashionable -o ending, a cool animal meaning, and a handsome sound.

Ivaylo

A bright and energetic name of Arabic origin, Izdihar shares its roots with Zahra, Zahira, Zaria, and Zohra. It is borne by Soviet historian and video creator, Lady Izdihar.

Izdihar

More familiar as the name of an ancient empire from South America, when used as a given name, Inca can have a variety of different origins. While it is more likely to be spelled as Inka (or İncə) as a first name, Inca has seen usage around the world. 
 
From its German and Finnish roots, it could be used as a form of Inka, itself a variation of Inge meaning "ancestor". As a Serbian and Croatian name, again, normally spelled Inka, it is used as a diminutive of names containing the element in, including Ivana ("god is gracious"), Inoslava ("glory is now"), or Anina ("grace"). 
 
From its Spanish origins, it may mean "emperor", borrowed from the name of the Inca Empire. It also appears as the name of a town in Mallorca, known for its leather craftmanship. Another possible explanation for its use in Spanish is as a variation of Inico, Ignacia, or Inigo, used as forms of Ignatius or Eneko. 
 
Inca could also be an Anglicized form of the rare Azerbaijani name, İncə derived from the Azerbaijani word for "thin, slender", or of the Turkish and Azerbaijani İnci, meaning "pearl." Alternatively, it could come from the Romanian word încă meaning "still."
 
The name also appears to be used in India and Indonesia, possibly as a form of Inika meaning "army, splendour", or of Enika, meaning "antelope."
 
Much of this is conjecture however, and other interpretations, usage, and meanings may be possible. Regardless, it is a succinct yet distinctive name with history behind it.

Inca

Iphis is a unisex ancient Greek name that appears a number of times throughout Greek mythology, as a King of Argos, one of the Argonauts, and a Thespian princess. Most notably, however, it features in Ovid's Metamorphoses, in the tale of Iphis and Ianthe.
 
According to Ovid, Iphis is born a girl, however, to save them from being put to death by the father (who can't afford a woman's dowry), Iphis's mother conceals their sex and raises them as a boy. Iphis goes on to fall in love with Ianthe, but realizes they cannot wed as they are. While Iphis laments to Juno about the problem, their mother goes to a temple of Isis to ask for guidance, and, Just before the wedding is set to take place, Iphis is transformed into a man. 
 
Possibly derived from the Greek iphios meaning "strong, stout" or "force", Iphis can be said as EYE-fis, IF-fiss or EE-fees. A rare choice, it may appeal to those who like Iris, Idris, Ira, or Paris, or for those looking for a unisex name with mythological ties and and LGBTQ+ connections.

Iphis

A wintery name, with a fairy tale feel, Iselilja blends the Norwegian is with lilja to give the pretty meaning "ice lily". Quietly used in Norway as a middle and given name, it appears in a medieval ballad called Knut liten og Sylvelin. This song has been popularized in modern memory by folk singers and bands, including Alf Cranner, Kong Lavring, and Gåte. 
 
Other sources suggest the name is related to the Germanic Isa (a short form of Isabella) or to Iselin, which may mean "iron".

Iselilja

A mix of bright, floral Iris, with classic Elizabeth, Irisbeth made its debut to the US stats in 2025, when 16 girls received the name. Parents may have be inspired by the content creator, Irisbeth Gerrado, the growing popularity of Iris, and the appeal of creative ways to honor classic family names.

Irisbeth

A stripped back variation of Elizabeth, Izbeth is predominantly used in Mexico, though 2025 saw it appear in the US stats for the first time, given to 16 girls. 

Izbeth

Irvine is a masculine name derived from a Scottish place name and surname, ultimately from Celtic origins meaning 'green water' or 'fresh water,' referring to the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland. As a first name, Irvine gained modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in Scottish communities and among those with Scottish heritage. Notable bearers include American author Irvine Welsh and basketball hall-of-famer Irvine Clifton Turner, lending the name cultural resonance. Though never reaching mainstream popularity, Irvine maintains appeal as a distinguished name with clear geographic roots. It offers parents a distinctive option with authentic Scottish heritage while avoiding the more common Celtic names. The name carries connotations of natural beauty and freshness through its water-related meaning.

Irvine

One of the top debuts to the US stats in 2025, Ishvik could be derived from the Sanskrit Ishvara, an epithet for Lord Shiva — the god of destruction, restoration, creation, and transformation in Hindu tradition. Meaning "lord, ruler, god, or divine" — or perhaps "devoted to Lord Shiva" — it is associated with divinity, power, and blessings.
 
Given to more than 30 babies in the US in a recent year, it has also been listed as a modern and trending name by several Indian name bloggers on Instagram, something reflected by social media birth announcements too.

Ishvik

Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward. 

Iolo

Innis is the name of an island (and Gaelic word for island) which became a Scottish surname and clan name before being used as a first. It hasn't been heard much in the U.S., but could attract more attention with the growing popularity of Latin s-ending boys' names such as Atticus.
 Innis is related in sound to Ennis, as in the character name Ennis Del Mar, indelibly played by Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain."

Innes

An undiscovered surname possibility with upscale overtones, could be enlivened with nickname Ingo. 

Ingram

Ichabod, an eccentric Old Testament name, is forever tied to the character of Ichabod Crane -- and worse, the teasing possibilities of "icky bod."  Even its original meaning is a negative.  Skip Ichabod, as if you were ever tempted.

Ichabod

The island home of Odysseus, the name of a real-life Greek island, and the New York city site of Cornell University, Ithaca feels like a scholarly and distinctive choice. Pronounced as ith-uh-kuh, it blends spikiness and softness, which might just appeal to fans of Atticus, Illyria, and Thessaly, or to those looking for very rare alternatives to Annika, Erika, Ivy, or Isabella.
 
Appearing (as yet) just once in the US stats, back in 2017, likely owing to the movie of the same name which had released in 2016, could the 2026 movie The Odyssey encourage more parents to consider this rare place name?

Ithaca

unique names that start with the letter I, including Isnin, Invictus, Industry, Irmrun, Ionatán, Ivalene, Ivaylo, Izdihar, Inca, Iphis, Iselilja, Irisbeth, Izbeth, Irvine, Ishvik, Iolo, Innes, Ingram, Ichabod, and Ithaca. (Page 8)

Unique Names that Start With I

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