Irene

Irene is a female given name of Greek origin, derived from Eirene, the goddess of peace in Greek mythology. The name conveys the concept of peace and has been used in many languages and cultures, often anglicized as Irene, with variations such as Irena, Irina, or Eirene in different regions.

In classical and modern usage, Irene has been widely adopted as a first name in Europe, the Americas, and elsewhere. Notable individuals with the name include Irene Cara, an American singer and actress known for the song “What a Feeling” from Flashdance; Irene Dunne, an American film actress active in the early to mid-20th century; and Irene Jacob, a French-Swiss actress known for her roles in the film Three Colors: Red. In fiction, Irene Adler is a prominent character in Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes canon.

The name has also appeared in other contexts. Hurricane Irene (2011) was a significant tropical cyclone that affected portions of the Caribbean and the United States. Irene is the name of places such as Irene, Gauteng, an area near Pretoria, South Africa. The name continues to appear in contemporary culture and as a given name for newborns.