Iara rhymes with Yara, an Arabic name of which it can be a variation. More commonly it's associated with Iara of Brazilian myth — a water nymph, sometimes mermaid, of Tupi and Guaraní legend. In the legends, Iara seduces men to the river to accompany her in her immortal life.

Iara

Idalyne

Idelle

Ilaina

Ilesha is an unusual choice that will undoubtedly be confused with similar and far more common names such as Alicia and Elissa. 

Ilesha

Ilisa is a spelling variant that's less appealing than the original. 

Ilisa

Iliza

This could make a hauntingly evocative name for an American child, striking the perfect balance of the unusual and the familiar. Imara's meaning adds further appeal placing it among the special class of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/96/girl-names-that-mean-brave-or-powerful">girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful</a>.

Imara

Inara is an appealing choice with multiple origins, currently in the Top 500 in the UK and the Netherlands. Gentle looking but bright in feel, it is also on the rise in the US, possibly owing to its use in Joss Whedon's hit sci-fi series Firefly, featuring main character, Inara Serra.
 
On one hand, Inara is an Arabic name, deriving from the same roots as the more familiar Noor. Meaning "illumination" or "shining light", it is associated with enlightenment and bringing light to darkness. Similarly, in Basque it means "sunray" or "spark", but emerged as a feminine form of Inar.
 
Alternatively, it can be considered a mythological name, taken from Hittite mythology, in which Inara was the goddess of wild animals - equivalent to the Greek Artemis. In Latvia, it is sometimes used as an elaboration of Ina, while there is a possibility that some may be using it as a spelling variation on the rising star Ainara, meaning "swallow (bird)".
 
An all round intriguing name, Inara was given to around 180 girls in the US in 2023 and would make a choice that translates well into various languages and cultures.

Inara

Inaya is a soft and expressive name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
 
A name with multiple spelling variants, including Anaya, Inaaya and Enayah, Inaya was one of the fasted rising names in the US in 2023. It now sits in the Top 800 and is given to nearly 400 babies each year. 
 Across Europe, it is a Top 100 girls' name in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and it is trending upwards in the UK and Switzerland too. With its pleasing meaning, appealing look, and gentle but sparkly sounds, it seems set to follow in the footsteps of Soraya, Farrah, Leila and Aaliyah as an Arabic name that is also popular in the English-speaking world.
 
Notable namesakes include singer Inaya Day, Lebanese politician Inaya Ezzeddine, and British journalist and presenter Inaya Folarin Iman. 
 
Currently, the spelling variant, Anaya remains more popular in the US and has been since the 2000s, though this might be attributed to the fact it is also a Spanish place name. Inaya has something more distinctive about it, with that underused 'In-' beginning and sleek spelling that may see it rise further in coming years.

Inaya

Inessa is a truly multi-cultural name, heard in Spain, Germany and Russia, and is related to the names Agnes and Ines/Inez.
 The singer who goes by the single name Inessa is German.

Inessa

Iolana is a hip-swaying, melodic, and unusual choice. Similar Hawaiian bird-themed choice: Iolani.

Iolana

This name of a small island off the coast of Scotland is trending upwards along with other I names. 

Iona

Irenea

Iris has so much going for it. It's a fashionable flower name. It's a mythological name, from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. And it's a classic name, always ranking in the girls' Top 1000 but now at its highest point ever.
 
Iris is directly derived from the Greek word iris, meaning "rainbow." In Greek mythology, rainbow goddess Iris was a messenger for Zeus and Hera who rode the rainbow as a multicolored bridge from heaven to earth. 
 The botanical iris also carries evocative symbols. In ancient times, the Iris was considered a symbol of power and majesty, the three petal segments representing faith, wisdom and valor. This image led to the naming of the colored part of the eye.
In the contemporary world, Iris has amazing international versatility, ranking highly throughout the English-speaking world as well as in a diverse range of countries from Spain to Slovenia, France to Sweden.
 Part of Iris's rise is due to its celebrity power: Jude Law and Sadie Frost, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, and Renee O'Connor all chose Iris for their daughters.
 A notable modern bearer was the prolific British novelist Iris Murdoch. Frequently seen on screen, characters called Iris have been played by Jodie Foster, Jane Fonda and Kate Winslet, and Iris Chase is the narrator in the Margaret Atwood novel The Blind Assassin.

Iris

Irisa

A trendy name in France, sometimes also spelled Ysaline, that's related to both Isabelle and Iseult.  To the American ear, it freshens up Isabelle without really improving on it.

Isaline

Ivanna / Ivana both come out of the name "John" by way of the Russian variant Ivan. Whereas Joanna feels dated, Ivanna feels cosmopolitan and fresh. Ivanka (of Trump fame) is a diminutive version of Ivanna.

I Girl Names