Irina ( Cyrillic: Ирина) is a feminine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

of Ancient Greek origin, commonly borne by followers of the

Eastern Orthodox Church The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian church, with approximately 220 million baptized members. It operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops vi ...

. It is derived from Eirene (

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic p ...

: Εἰρήνη), an ancient Greek goddess, personification of

peace Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups. ...

. It is mostly used in countries within the

Commonwealth of Independent States The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia. It was formed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It covers an area of and has an estimated population of 239,796,010. ...

and the

Balkans The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...

. Diminutive forms in Slavic languages include Ira, Irinka, Irinushka, Irisha, Irka, Irochka, Irinochka.

Origin

Irina is connected with

Irene of Macedonia Irene is a name derived from εἰρήνη (eirēnē), the Greek for "peace". Irene, and related names, may refer to: * Irene (given name) Places * Irene, Gauteng, South Africa * Irene, South Dakota, United States * Irene, Texas, United Stat ...

who was the first woman recognized by the church as a

great martyr A great martyr (also spelled greatmartyr or great-martyr) or megalomartyr (from Byzantine Greek , , from , 'great' + , 'martyr'; cu, великомꙋ́ченикъ; ro, mare mucenic; ka, დიდმოწამე) is a classification of s ...

. She was born pagan as Penelope and later baptized as Irene. Some sources refer to her being baptized by

Saint Timothy Timothy or Timothy of Ephesus (Greek language, Greek: ; ''Timótheos'', meaning "honouring God" or "honoured by God") was an early Christian Evangelism, evangelist and the first Christianity, Christian bishop of Ephesus, who tradition relates die ...

, in which case she lived in the 1st–2nd century, while others date her death in the year 315. Opinions also differ about the location of her birthplace, the city of Magedon, placing it either in Persia or in Migdonia ( Macedonia).The Holy Great-Martyress Irene
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Baltimore, US

Notable people with this name

Nobility and politics

Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia (russian: Ирина Александровна; – 26 February 1970) was the only daughter and eldest child of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Rus ...

(1895-1970) *

Irina Khakamada Irina Mutsuovna Khakamada ( rus, Ири́на Муцу́овна Хакама́да, p=ɪˈrʲinə mʊˈtsuəvnə xəkɐˈmadə; ja, 袴田イリーナ; born April 13, 1955, in Moscow) is a Russian economist, political activist, journalist, pu ...

(b. 1955), Russian politician *

Irina von Wiese Irina Stephanie von Wiese und Kaiserswaldau (born 11 September 1967) is a British politician, who was a Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for London between 2019 and the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU. Career ...

(b. 1967), British politician *

Irina Walker Michael I ( ro, Mihai I ; 25 October 1921 – 5 December 2017) was the last King of Romania, reigning from 20 July 1927 to 8 June 1930 and again from 6 September 1940 until his forced abdication on 30 December 1947. Shortly after Michael's ...

, daughter of

King Michael I of Romania Michael I ( ro, Mihai I ; 25 October 1921 – 5 December 2017) was the last King of Romania, reigning from 20 July 1927 to 8 June 1930 and again from 6 September 1940 until his forced abdication on 30 December 1947. Shortly after Michael's ...

Irina Yusupova Countess Irina Felixovna Sheremeteva (née Princess Yusupova; russian: Графиня Ирина Феликсовна Шереметева née Княгиня Юсупова; 21 March 1915, Petrograd, Russian Empire – 30 August 1983), known affe ...

, Russian princess

Arts and music

Irina Allegrova Irina Aleksandrovna Allegrova (russian: link=no, Ирина Александровна Аллегрова; born 20 January 1952) is a Russian singer. She is a People's Artist of Russia (2010).

, Russian singer *

Irina Antonenko Irina Anto (Antonenko) (russian: Ири́на И́горевна Анто́ненко; born 1 September 1991) is an actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who holds the title of Miss Russia 2010. She also placed in the Top 15 at the Miss ...

Miss Russia 2010 Miss Russia 2010, was held in Barvikha Luxury Village Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia, on 6 March 2010. 51 contestants from all over Russia competed for the crown. Sofia Rudieva of Saint Petersburg crowned her successor, Irina Antonenko of Yekater ...

Irina Arkhipova Irina Konstantinovna Arkhipova (russian: Ири́на Константи́новна Архи́пова; 2 January 1925 11 February 2010, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian mezzo-soprano, and later contralto, opera singer. She sang leading roles fi ...

, Soviet and Russian opera singer *

Irina Ionesco Irina Ionesco (3 September 1930 – 25 July 2022) was a French photographer born in Paris. She traveled and painted for several years before discovering photography and eventually became known for her erotic photography and most controversially ...

, French photographer *

Irina Iordachescu Irina Iordachescu is a Romanian soprano opera singer. Early life Soprano Irina Iordachescu was born in Bucharest, into a family of musicians. Her father is Dan Iordachescu, a professional singer (baritone). Her sister, Cristina, is a mezzo-s ...

, Romanian soprano opera singer *

Irina Rimes Irina Rimes (born Irina Rîmeș on ), is a Moldovan-Romanian singer-songwriter who established herself as one of the leading music artists in Romania and Moldova since the late 2010s. She is one of the four coaches of the Romanian talent show ...

, Moldavian-Romanian singer and songwriter *

Irina Saari Irina Saari (née Lahtinen, born on 10 May 1975 in Kauhajoki), better known by her stage name Irina, is a Finnish singer. Her style is pop and suomirock. She currently lives in Heinola. All of the songs on Irina's debut album were written by ...

, Finnish pop singer, better known by her mononym Irina *

Irina Toneva Irina Ilyinichna Toneva (russian: link=no, Ири́на Ильи́нична То́нева; born 27 June 1977 in Krasnoznamensk, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union) is a Russian singer, one of three vocalists of girl group Fabrika (''Factory'' in Eng ...

, Russian pop singer *

Irina Zahharenkova Irina Zahharenkova (born 23 February 1976 in Kaliningrad) is an Estonian pianist and harpsichordist trained at the Estonian Academy of Music and the Sibelius Academy The Sibelius Academy ( fi, Taideyliopiston Sibelius-Akatemia, sv, Sibelius-Aka ...

, Estonian and Finnish concert pianist.

Actresses and models

Irina Dvorovenko Irina Vladimirovna Dvorovenko ( uk, Ірина Володимирівна Дворовенко; russian: Ирина Владимировна Дворовенко; born 28 August 1973) is a Ukrainian-American retired ballet dancer and actress. She ...

, Ukrainian-American ballet dancer and actress * Irina Hudova, Finnish ballet dancer and teacher *

Irina Pantaeva Irina Pantaeva (russian: Ирина Владленовна Пантаева; born 31 October 1967) is a Russian model and actress. Pantaeva was born in Ulan-Ude, Buryat ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Biography Irina Pantaeva started working ...

, Siberian fashion model and actress *

Irina Shayk Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova (russian: Ирина Валерьевна Шайхлисламова; born 6 January 1986), known professionally as Irina Shayk (; russian: Ирина Шейк), is a Russian model and television personality who ...

, model originally from Russia *

Irina Voronina Irina Vadimovna Voronina (russian: Ирина Вадимовна Воронина; born December 19, 1977) is a Russian stand-up comedian, actress, and model. As a model, she was also the Playboy Playmate for January 2001. Biography Voronina ...

, Playboy Playmate originally from Russia * Irina Lazareanu, Romanian-born Canadian model

Sports

Irina Alexeeva Irina Nikolayevna Alexeeva or Alekseeva (russian: Ири́на Никола́евна Алексе́ева, born 20 April 2002) is a Russian artistic gymnast and a former member of the Russian National Team. She was part of the teams that won t ...

, Russian gymnast * Irina Baskakova, Soviet track and field sprinter * Irina-Camelia Begu, Romanian tennis player * Irina Bespalova, Russian butterfly swimmer * Irina Deleanu, Romanian former individual rhythmic gymnast * Irina Kostyuchenkova, Ukrainian javelin thrower *

Irina Krush Irina Borisivna Krush ( uk, Ірина Борисівна Круш; born December 24, 1983) is an American chess Grandmaster. She is the first woman, and as of August 2022 the only woman, to earn the GM title while playing for the United States ...

, chess player * Irina Lashko, Russian-born Australian diver * Irina Loghin, Romanian folk singer *

Irina Mikitenko Irina Mikitenko, ''née'' Volynskaya (russian: Ирина Волынская (Микитенко); born 23 August 1972 in Bakanas, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union), is a retired German long-distance runner who competed in marathons. She won the Ber ...

, Kazakhstan-born German long-distance runner, former winner of both the Berlin and London marathons *

Irina Podyalovskaya Irina Podyalovskaya (born 9 October 1959) is a retired female middle distance runner who represented the USSR in the 1970s and the early 1980s. She set her personal best in the women's 800 metres (1:55.69) on 22 June 1984 at a meet in Kiev. She ...

, Soviet middle distance runner * Irina Ponarovskaya, Soviet and Russian singer *

Irina Press Irina Natanovna Press, uk, Ірина Натанівна Пресс, ''Iryna Natanivna Press'', group=nb (10 March 1939 – 21 February 2004) was a multitalented Soviet athlete who competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. In 1960, she won a gold ...

, Soviet 2x Olympic champion (80-m hurdles & pentathlon) *

Irina Rodnina Irina Konstantinovna Rodnina ( rus, Ирина Константиновна Роднина, p=ɪˈrʲinə kənstɐnˈtʲinəvnə rədʲnʲɪˈna; born 12 September 1949) is a Russian politician and retired figure skater, who is the only pair sk ...

, Soviet figure skater * Irina Sazonova, Russian-Icelandic gymnast *

Irina Serova Irina Serova (russian: Ирина Серова; born 14 May 1966, born Irina Rozhkova, russian: Ирина Рожкова) is an Austrian retired badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a ...

(born 1966), Austrian-Soviet badminton player *

Irina Slutskaya Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya ( rus, Ирина Эдуардовна Слуцкая, , ɪˈrʲinə ɨdʊˈardəvnə ˈslutskəjə, Ru-Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya.ogg; born 9 February 1979) is a Russian former figure skater. She is a two-time World ...

, Russian world champion figure skater *

Irina Tebenikhina Irina Tebenikhina (born 5 December 1978 in Fergana) is a volleyball player from Russia, who represented her native country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. There she won the silver medal with the Women's National Team, for which s ...

, Russian volleyball player * Irina Ufimtseva, Russian freestyle swimmer

Other

Irina Gaidamachuk Irina Viktorovna Gaidamachuk (russian: Ирина Викторовна Гайдамачук; born 22 May 1972) is a Russian serial killer who killed 17 elderly women in Sverdlovsk Oblast between 2002 and 2010. Early life Gaidamachuk was born on 2 ...

(born 1972), prolific Russian serial killer * Irina Nikolaevna Levchenko (1924–1973), Russian tank commander *

Irina Livezeanu Irina Livezeanu (born 1952) is a Romanian-American historian. Her research interests include Eastern Europe, Eastern European Jewry, the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, and modern nationalism. Several of her publications deal with the history of Roma ...

(born 1952), Romanian-born American historian *

Iryna Senyk Iryna Senyk (Ukrainian, Іри́на Миха́йлівна Се́ник; June 8, 1926, Lviv - October 25, 2009, Boryslav) was a Ukrainian poet, nurse, and Soviet political dissident. She was imprisoned in Stalinist camps as were her mother and b ...

(1926–2009), Ukrainian poet, nurse, and Soviet political dissident * Irina Tsvila (1969–2022), Ukrainian teacher, public activist, and photographer

Fictional characters

*Irina, the child protagonist in Magdalen Nabb's '' The Enchanted Horse''. *Irina Asanova, the great love of fictional Moscow homicide investigator Arkady Renko in the novels '' Gorky Park'' and ''

Red Square Red Square ( rus, Красная площадь, Krasnaya ploshchad', ˈkrasnəjə ˈploɕːətʲ) is one of the oldest and largest squares in Moscow, the capital of Russia. Owing to its historical significance and the adjacent historical build ...

'' by

Martin Cruz Smith Martin Cruz Smith (born November 3, 1942) is an American mystery novelist. He is best known for his nine-novel series (to date) on Russian investigator Arkady Renko, who was first introduced in 1981 with '' Gorky Park''. Early life and educ ...

Irina Derevko Irina Derevko () is a fictional character on the television series ''Alias'', and a main character during the second season of the series. Irina, played by Lena Olin, is the mother of the central character, Sydney Bristow. Biography She is firs ...

, KGB and Covenant terrorist, a main character in the '' Alias'' series *

Irina Palm ''Irina Palm'' is a 2007 tragicomedy film directed by Sam Garbarski and starring Marianne Faithfull and Miki Manojlović. It is a co-production of five countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Germany and France). The film premiered at t ...

, pseudonym of the main character in 2007 film of the same name * Irina Spalko, a fictional Russian mobster in the film ''

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' is a 2008 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and the fourth installment in the ''Indiana Jones'' series. Released and taking place 19 years after the previous ...

'' *Irina Clayton, a.k.a. Choir, a former member of the

Xavier Institute student body The Xavier Institute is a fictional school in the X-Men universe. This list documents the fictional staff, students and alumni of the institute. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters * Later renamed as Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. For ...

and the Street Team X-Men in the Marvel Comics Universe *Irina Nikolaievna Spaskaya, former

KGB The KGB (russian: links=no, lit=Committee for State Security, Комитет государственной безопасности (КГБ), a=ru-KGB.ogg, p=kəmʲɪˈtʲet ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪn(ː)əj bʲɪzɐˈpasnəsʲtʲɪ, Komitet gosud ...

agent and expert pole vaulter from St.Petersburg in the

39 Clues ''The 39 Clues'' is a series of adventure novels written by a collaboration of authors, including Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Roland Smith, David Baldacci, ...

Series *Irina, One of the three sisters in Anton Chekhov's play '' Three Sisters'' *Irina Kerchenkov, a Russian model in

Sarra Manning Sarra Manning is an English writer and journalist. She attended the University of Sussex and took an English with media studies degree. She became a freelance writer after submitting her work to '' Melody Maker''. She worked as the entertainment ...

's ''Fashionistas'' book series *Irina Denali, a member of the Denali coven in the ''

Twilight Twilight is light produced by sunlight scattering in the upper atmosphere, when the Sun is below the horizon, which illuminates the lower atmosphere and the Earth's surface. The word twilight can also refer to the periods of time when this i ...

'' series by Stephenie Meyer *Irina, a character from the novel series ''

The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka. It was published from 1986 to 2017, with sixteen novels and one side-story in the official guidebook ''Arslan Senki Dokuhon''. Set in ancient Persia, it is loosely based on the ...

'' by

Yoshiki Tanaka is a Japanese novelist. Early life and education He was born in Hondo, Kumamoto Prefecture and took his doctorate degree in Japanese Language and Literature in the Graduate School of Gakushūin University in Tokyo. Work His major works in ...

. *Irina Shidō, a fictional character from the Japanese light novel series ''

High School DxD is a Japanese light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero. The story centers on Issei Hyodo, a perverted high school student from Kuoh Academy who desires to be a harem king and is killed by ...

'' by Ichiei Ishibumi. *The

Groovy Girls Groovy Girls were a line of fashion dolls manufactured by the American toy company Manhattan Toy and launched in 1998. Each year new dolls were produced until 2019. History Groovy Girls launched in 1998 as a funky alternative to Barbie. Each dol ...

doll line, by Manhattan Toy, features a doll named Irina. *Irina Jelavić, a fictional character in the Japanese manga and anime '' Assassination Classroom'' *Irina Clockworker, an antagonist from a series of

Vocaloid is a singing voice synthesizer software product. Its signal processing part was developed through a joint research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, in 2000 and was not originally intended to b ...

songs known as "The Evillious Chronicles" *Irina of House Griffin, a playable character in PC game '' Might and Magic: Heroes VI'' *Irina Luminesk, the protagonist of '' Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut''

References