Popular Girl Names That Start With I Throughout History

Girl names beginning with I carry beauty, grace, and global flair. From Biblical heroines to modern trendsetters, these names have stood the test of time while remaining stylish today.

Ancient Origins (Biblical, Greek, Roman)

• Isabel – Derived from Elizabeth, “God is my oath”
• Isaiah (rare feminine usage) – Biblical prophet’s name
• Isis – Egyptian goddess of motherhood
• Iphigenia – Greek myth heroine
• Irene – Greek, “peace”
• Io – Greek myth nymph loved by Zeus
• Ianthe – Greek, “purple flower”
• Illyria – Ancient place-inspired
• Indira – Sanskrit, “beauty”
• Imogen – Celtic roots, “maiden”
• Iola – Greek, “violet dawn”
• Idalia – Connected to Aphrodite
• Iseult – Celtic legend heroine
• Ignatia – Latin, linked to fire
• Isidora – Greek, “gift of Isis”
• Isannah – Hebrew-derived, “God’s grace”
• Iole – Greek myth, linked to Hercules
• Ishara – Ancient Mesopotamian goddess
• Ixchel – Mayan goddess of fertility
• Icarra – Roman record name

Medieval and Renaissance

• Isabella – Royal favorite across Europe
• Isabeau – Medieval French form
• Isotta – Italian Renaissance name
• Ingrid – Norse, “beautiful goddess”
• Ivetta – Medieval variant of Yvette
• Isolde – Arthurian romance heroine
• Ida – Germanic, “industrious”
• Iseult – Medieval spelling
• Iolanthe – Medieval “violet flower”
• Ismene – Classical revival
• Ignatia – Saint’s feminine form
• Isabelita – Spanish diminutive
• Iolanda – Italian/Spanish, “violet”
• Isana – Rare medieval record
• Ines – Spanish, from Agnes
• Irmengarde – Medieval noble
• Irenea – Virtue name, “peace”
• Isolda – Variant of Isolde
• Isabelina – Elaborate form
• Illaria – Medieval Latin form

Victorian and Early Modern (1800s–early 1900s)

• Isabella – Hugely popular in England
• Ivy – Botanical, symbol of fidelity
• Irene – “Peace,” widely used
• Imogen – Literary favorite
• India – Place name used in Victorian era
• Isadora – Romantic revival of Isidora
• Ina – Short diminutive name
• Iola – Classical revival
• Ilona – European romantic name
• Iris – Flower name, Greek goddess
• Ilda – Short Germanic name
• Ismena – Literary romantic name
• Isobel – Scottish form of Isabel
• Idella – Romantic creation
• Irina – Slavic form of Irene
• Ivette – French, linked to yew tree
• Iselina – Elaborate Victorian form
• Indira – South Asian adoption
• Isaline – Swiss variation
• Izora – Poetic Victorian invention

Modern Favorites (20th–21st Century, U.S. Focus)

• Isabella – Chart-topping U.S. name
• Ivy – Vintage comeback
• Isla – Scottish origin, “island”
• Isabel – Timeless international
• Iris – Botanical revival
• Ivory – Word name
• Imani – Swahili, “faith”
• Indie – Modern casual form
• Iliana – Multicultural, “from Troy”
• Isabelle – French spelling style
• Ilaria – Italian, “cheerful”
• India – Still in use
• Ivanna – Slavic form of Joanna
• Irelynn – Modern invented form
• Iyla – Modern variant of Isla
• Izabella – Creative spelling
• Isolde – Romantic revival
• Irie – Jamaican origin, “positive, peaceful”
• Indira – Still stylish globally
• Inaya – Arabic origin, “care”

Helpful Resources

For more insights into names and parenting:

• U.S. SSA baby name data: latest rankings
• Behind the Name database: etymology and meanings
• Babysense guide on choosing the perfect baby name
• Explore our non-WiFi baby monitors to stay connected safely

FAQs

From Isis and Irene to Isabella and Isla, I names highlight beauty, faith, and timeless appeal. Check SSA data and Babysense resources to explore which of these names resonate most with your family today.