Irad

Irad is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin that appears in the Hebrew Bible. In Genesis 4:18, Irad is described as the son of Enoch, who is a descendant of Cain, placing Irad in the early Cainite line. He is recorded as the father of Mehujael, continuing a genealogical chain that leads to Methushael, Lamech, and Noah.

The exact meaning of the name Irad is uncertain. It is a Hebrew form, sometimes connected by scholars to roots involving descent or descent-related meanings, but there is no consensus on a definitive interpretation. The name is primarily known from biblical contexts and is not widely attested outside of religious texts.

In modern usage, Irad is occasionally used as a given name in Hebrew-speaking communities and among Jews. While it is recognized from biblical genealogies, it remains relatively uncommon as a contemporary name. The name is sometimes encountered in discussions of early biblical lineages and in studies of the Cainite family tree.

The Hebrew spelling of Irad is אירד. Beyond its biblical reference, the name does not denote a widely used title, place, or object, and its primary significance remains its appearance in the Genesis genealogies as the son of Enoch and father of Mehujael.