Irma

The first name Irma is a short form of names that begin with 'Irm-', such as Irmgard or Irmtraud. The initial syllable derives from the Old High German word irmin meaning 'all-encompassing', 'great', 'powerful'.

What does the name Irma mean?

The first name Irma is a short form of names that begin with 'Irm-', such as Irmgard or Irmtraud. The initial syllable derives from the Old High German word irmin meaning 'all-encompassing', 'great', 'powerful'. Thus, the girl's name Irma means 'the All-Encompassing' or 'the Great'. Irma is a very old German girl's name of Germanic origin that has also spread to other language areas over time. The name is also frequently found in Spanish, English, or Dutch-speaking regions. With about 1.4 million bearers, Irma is even among the most common girls' names worldwide. Its spread is mainly due to Irmina von Oeren, an abbess of the women's monastery Oeren in Trier from the 7th and 8th centuries, who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. In Germany, Irma was particularly popular at the beginning of the 20th century but then fell completely out of fashion. In recent years, Irma has been given more frequently as a first name again, possibly as an alternative to the common baby name Emma, which is a variant of Irma. Other variants and forms of Irma include Ema, Erma, Ima, Imma, Imme, Irmela, Irmeli, Irmelin, Irmene, Irmi, Irmina, and Irmine.

Where does the name Irma come from?

Etymology Irma is a female first name of Old Germanic and Old High German origin with the meaning 'the All-Encompassing' or 'the Great'. Old Germanic Old High German

How do you pronounce Irma?

Sound & pronunciation of Irma: The name Irma is two syllables and compactly structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Ir-ma' [ˈɪʁma], combining a short onset with an open second syllable. The dense sound form gives the name emphasis. Irma appears traditional and determined - clear, factual, and present.

When is the name day of Irma?

The name day for Irma is December 24, in memory of Saint Irmina von Oeren.

Popularity

In the 1880s to the early 1900s, the female first name Irma in Germany was mostly in the range of the top 70 to top 100, thus belonging to the regularly given but not leading first names. In the 1910s and 1920s, the name gained significantly in popularity, reaching the top 30 to top 40 multiple times. In 1910, it even rose to 13th place, thus temporarily being among the extended top of the most popular names.

Nicknames & pet names

Imi / Ira / Irm / Irmade / Irmale / Irmatschka / Irmchen / Irmel-Trirmel / Irmelchen / Irmgard / Irmi / Irml / Irms / Irmsche / Irmsi / Irmula / Irmusch / Irmusja / Irmy

Similar first names

Irmin

Famous people

• Irma Achten (film producer from the Netherlands)
• Irma Adlawan (Filipino actress)
• Irma Alimanovic (Bosnian actress)
• Irma Baltuttis (German singer)
• Irma Blank (painter from Germany)
• Irma Carmona (actress from Ireland)
• Irma de Antequeda (fencer from Argentina)
• Irma Dragicevic (Croatian singer)
• Irma Erixson (actress from Sweden)
• Irma Hartje-Leudesdorff (painter from Germany)
• Irma Heijting-Schuhmacher (Dutch swimmer)
• Irma Ingertha Gram (Czech art historian)
• Irma Karisik (luger from Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Irma Kliauzaite (Lithuanian musician)
• Irma Krauß (author)
• Irma Kurti (American poet)
• Irma Lair (character from 'W.i.t.c.h.')
• Irma Maury (Peruvian actress)
• Irma Münch (German actress)
• Irma Nioradze (American ballet dancer)