Irving

Scottish

"green river, sea friend"

Irving Origin and Meaning

The name Irving is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "green river, sea friend".

It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving. It became a popular choice for first-generation Jewish-American boys, such as best-selling authors Irving Stone and Irving Wallace, whose parents looked to surnames from the British Isles to confer a measure of assimilation and class. Irving Berlin changed his name from Israel; actor Ving Rhames streamlined and coolized it. Irving was a Top 100 name during World War I, and though we don't envision it reaching those heights again, we can see some hipster parents having their own little Ving.

Irving Popularity

• 757 Nameberry 2021
• 685 Unique 2020