This New Baby Name Trend Is All About *This* Letter

1. Iris: Iris is a perennial flower name, on the national list since records have been kept, and is now definitely on the upswing: It’s at number 245 in the US, in the top 100 of the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden and 52 on Nameberry. A Greek mythological name — she was the goddess of the rainbow — it’s also been a celebrity choice; Jude Law and Judd Apatow are both dads to Irises.

2. Ianthe: A romantic name with both Greek mythological and floral associations — it means violet flower — Ianthe has been seen more in fiction than on birth certificates, used by such writers as the poet Shelley and novelists Barbara Pym, Rosamond Lehmann and Georgette Heyer.

3. Ida: First came the resurgence of Ava (now number five), followed by Ada (382) — so could Ida be next in line? It was a top-10 name a century ago, when a popular song was Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider, and is still number 2 in Denmark and 10 in Norway.

4. Imogen: A Shakespearean name (though via a misprint), Imogen is currently number 34 in England, Wales and Australia, and a whopping 23 on Nameberry — though it’s yet to be seen on the national list. Worthy namesakes include classic photographer Imogen Cunningham and contemporary musician Imogen Heap.

5. Inez: An exotic name with a sizzling Z ending, Inez has been fully integrated into the American name pool. It was briefly a top-100 name in the US in the early decades of the 20th century. The Spanish and Portuguese version of Agnes, it can also be spelled Ines or Ynez.

6. Ingrid: One of the few Scandinavian names to be fully accepted in the US, largely via the influence of Casablanca beauty Ingrid Bergman, whose midcentury popularity caused the name to reach number 380 in 1967. Somewhat neglected now, it would make an inspired choice for parents with Scandinavian roots. Ingrid is the middle name of both Scarlett Johansson and Michelle Williams.

7. Ireland: Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin thought out of the box when they named their daughter Ireland in 1995, and by 1998 it had reached the lower echelons of the top 1000. In the current baby name climate, in which place names are trending, Ireland is proving an increasingly appealing destination.

8. Isadora: We think this is one I-name that has been sadly neglected — it hasn’t ranked on the popularity list since 1900. (Visionary Berries know better — it ranks at 192 on Nameberry.) Interesting references include iconic modern dancer Isadora Duncan, Fear of Flying protagonist Isadora Wing and Lemony Snicket’s Isadora Quagmire (named for Duncan). Bjork called her daughter Isadora.

9. Isla: After actress Isla Fisher appeared on the international cinema scene, her name, helped along by a Harry Potter character, was on the path to becoming one of the fastest-rising girls’ names, reaching number 150 within just five years. Even Queen Elizabeth has a great-granddaughter named Isla.

10. Isolde: If you’re looking for a dramatic, romantic I-girl name, you might consider the fabled love of Tristan in the Arthurian legend, whose tragic story made it very popular during the Middle Ages. Other variations are Isolda, Iseult and Isotta. She’s appreciated on Nameberry, where Isolde is number 216.

11. Ivy: Another I-name clearly on the rise, especially since Beyonce and Jay-Z chose Blue Ivy for their little girl. Ivy has been appearing more and more frequently on the small screen, on shows from Gossip Girl to Dollhouse to Downton Abbey. It ranks at number 146 on the SS list, and in the top 30 on Nameberry.

What is your favorite “I” baby name? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This post was originally published on Nameberry.