Irving Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Irving is a Scottish name originating from the surname associated with the River Irvine. It means 'green river' and has evolved from a surname to a given name in the 19th century. The name is connected to notable figures in literature and music, and it has a classic appeal in modern times.
The name Irving is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Irving has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Irving' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 123rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 276th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 491st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 822nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 756th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1065th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1525th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4569th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6926th out of 9204 names. Discover how the name 'Irving' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Irving"
Pronunciation
/ˈɪrvɪŋ/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Irving is derived from the Scottish surname, which is believed to originate from the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland. The river name itself is thought to come from the Gaelic 'Ir', meaning 'green', and 'bhinn', meaning 'smooth' or 'pleasant'.
Meaning
green river
Language Evolution
Irvine (surname), Irving (given name)
Historical Usage
The name Irving gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It was often used in honor of the Scottish writer Washington Irving.
Variants & Derivatives
Irvin, Irvington
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Irving is seen as a classic yet somewhat uncommon name. It carries a nostalgic charm and is often associated with literary and artistic values.
Famous People
Washington Irving - American author, Irving Berlin - American composer and lyricist, Irving Goffman - Canadian sociologist
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Irving"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Irving"
"Irving" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 123rd of 7545 | 22,411 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 276th of 6773 | 7,635 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 491st of 7552 | 4,438 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 822nd of 10718 | 1,575 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 756th of 16616 | 2,643 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1065th of 24088 | 2,542 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1525th of 23106 | 1,357 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4569th of 9107 | 67 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6926th of 9204 | 18 |
Regional Popularity of "Irving" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
11.86% 168th/1416 |
4.13% 57th/1379 |
13.91% 329th/2366 |
18.48% 211th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
19.28% 298th/1546 |
8.10% 126th/1556 |
20.70% 487th/2353 |
23.34% 361st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
24.52% 546th/2227 |
11.60% 282nd/2430 |
20.40% 582nd/2853 |
23.35% 648th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
32.96% 968th/2937 |
13.95% 486th/3483 |
30.36% 1068th/3518 |
26.26% 1062nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
29.42% 1084th/3685 |
13.90% 622nd/4475 |
17.65% 917th/5194 |
8.58% 542nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
30.21% 1384th/4582 |
22.11% 1142nd/5164 |
14.80% 1082nd/7313 |
9.96% 743rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
50.60% 2016th/3984 |
37.44% 1680th/4487 |
23.53% 1605th/6822 |
17.42% 1093rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Irving" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
100.00% 1379th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Irving"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Irving" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.