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Now that Tristan has been rediscovered, maybe it's time for his fabled lover in the Arthurian romances and Wagnerian opera, a beautiful Irish princess, to be brought back into the light as well.

Isaiah, like brethren Isaac and Elijah, is a once neglected biblical name now firmly back in favor, already surpassing such long-popular Old Testament stalwarts as Aaron and Adam. Isaiah has ranked on the US Top 1000 list for boys every year but two, 1969 and 1970.

Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.

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.

Icarus, the mythological figure famous for flying too close to the sun, has a couple of negatives: his rash reputation, and those "icky" nicknames.

A name used in the Caribbean, taken from the Rastafarian term that translates best to "positive and powerful." Rastas often greet each other by saying, "Are you feeling Irie today?"

Ivory was last popular a hundred years ago. In 2013, it finally began to regain some momentum in the female rankings, reentering the Top 1000, while 2024 saw it jump up the charts again by over 100 places, making it a To 500 name.

Iolanthe is known primarily through the 1882 Gilbert & Sullivan operetta of that name, in which the title character is a fairy. Iolanthe is a softer version of Yolanda, and is the kind of multi-syllabic classical name once considered too weighty for a modern baby girl, but now within the realm of possibility--this one as a dramatic twist on Violet. The biggest drawback is its variety of legitimate pronunciations in English.

Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000.

Ignacio, like Horacio, makes its gray-bearded English equivalent name sound positively dashing. While the Ig- beginning summons up such associations as ignoble and ignorant, the era for Ignacio and Ignatius and Iggy may be nigh.

A Top 200 choice in the US from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, Irma has nevertheless fallen out of favor with modern parents, and doesn't look set for the sort of comeback that some of her vintage sisters have enjoyed in recent years. The devastating hurricane which hit the Caribbean Islands and the south-east coast of the US in 2017 has no doubt dealt its chances of revival a further blow.

Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello, was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.

Ishmael is most familiar through "Call me Ishmael," the opening line spoken by the youthful narrator of Moby-Dick. Few American parents have followed that advice, though the Spanish and Arabic spelling, Ismael, ranks at Number 362. With its warm and pleasant sound, though, we could see Ishmael tagging along behind Isaiah and Isaac.

In mythology, Iphigenia was sacrificed by her father, Agamemnon -- a difficult legacy to pass on to a daughter, and only one reason the name is hardly ever used.

One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.

So identified with the hero of the Sir Walter Scott novel, it would be almost impossible for any boy to carry.

Ingraham is a distinguished masculine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements 'Ing' (referring to a Norse god) and 'hām' meaning 'home' or 'homestead.' Originally a surname, Ingraham has transitioned into occasional use as a first name, particularly for families wishing to honor ancestral connections. It shares roots with the more common variants Graham and Ingram. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Ingraham appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth and a distinguished sound. Its rarity makes it distinctive, conveying a sense of strength and tradition. The name carries an aristocratic quality while maintaining a connection to Anglo-Saxon heritage.

Iakovos is a masculine name of Greek origin, serving as the Greek form of Jacob. The name traces back to Hebrew roots, meaning 'holder of the heel' or 'supplanter,' referencing the biblical story of Jacob grasping his twin brother's heel at birth. In Greek Orthodox tradition, the name holds particular significance, with Saint Iakovos (James) being one of Jesus's apostles. Pronounced ee-AH-ko-vos, this melodic name retains popularity in Greece and Greek diaspora communities worldwide. The name carries a sense of classical dignity while maintaining relevance in contemporary Greek culture. With its distinctive sound and rich historical background, Iakovos offers a strong connection to Greek heritage while providing a unique alternative to more common Western variants like Jacob or James.

Ingeborg (and all Germanic and Scandinavian names beginning with Ing-) references the ancient fertility god Ing. Ing, later known as Freyr, is one of the primary gods in Old Norse mythology.