AHEAD: The ultimate list of girls’ names that start with I
If you’re looking for a beautiful girls’ name starting with the letter I, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single “I” name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Let’s dive in and check out this list of baby names…
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these beautiful girl names starting with I.
Related: Boy Names that Start with I
“I” names in the Top 200
Kicking off our list of girl names starting with I with monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 200.
Iris
- Name meaning: Rainbow in Greek. Also a flower.
- Popularity: #127
Isabella or Izabella or Isabela
- Name meaning: Promise.
- Popularity: Isabella ranks #7, Izabella ranks #341, and Isabela ranks #830.
Isabelle or Isabel
- Name meaning: Promise.
- Popularity: Isabelle ranks #121 and Isabel ranks #157.
Isla
- Name meaning: Island.
- Popularity: #44
Ivy
- Name meaning: An evergreen climbing plant.
- Popularity: #58
If you like these popular I names for girls, you might also like this list of modern girl names.
Nature “I” names for girls
These organic baby names that start with “I” are inspired by trees, rain, and animals.
Idra
- Name meaning: Fig tree.
- Popularity: This short girls’ name is not currently ranking.
Ilana
- Name meaning: Tree in Hebrew.
- Popularity: This pretty I name is not in the top 1000.
Indra
- Name meaning: Possessing drops of rain.
- Popularity: This boho baby name isn’t ranking.
Ivette
- Name meaning: Yew, which is a long-lived evergreen tree with red arils (fleshy berries).
- Popularity: This tree name for girls hasn’t ranked since 2001.
Ivonne
- Name meaning: Yew, which is a long-lived evergreen tree with red arils (fleshy berries).
- Popularity: This nature-inspired I name isn’t popular in the U.S.
Ivory
- Name meaning: White color. Substance composing the tusks of elephants, walruses, and narwhals.
- Popularity: #599
If you like nature-inspired girl names starting with “I”, you might also like this list of tree names for girls or this list of hippie baby names.
Geographical “I” names for girls
This batch of girl names starting with I is inspired by places!
Iliana or Ilianna
- Name meaning: From the ancient city of Illium, better known as Troy.
- Popularity: #890
India
- Name meaning: The second most populous country.
- Popularity: This I name hasn’t ranked since 2019.
Indiana
- Name meaning: Land of the Indians. A midwestern state.
- Popularity: This gender neutral name is not currently ranking.
Indie
- Name meaning: Short for India (country) or Indigo (dye).
- Popularity: #736
Ireland
- Name meaning: A country in Western Europe.
- Popularity: This I name hasn’t ranked since 2015.
Related: 120 Scottish and Irish Girl Names for Modern American Babies
If you like these girl names starting with I, you might also like this list of badass girl names or these southern girl names.
Spiritual “I” names for girls
These I names for girls are perfect for families who believe their daughter was sent from above.
Idris
- Name meaning: Lord or studious. Name of a prophet.
- Popularity: This I name ranks #829 for boys but is not ranking for girls.
Ilsa
- Name meaning: Pledged to God.
- Popularity: This two-syllable I name is not ranking in the U.S.
Imani
- Name meaning: Faith or belief.
- Popularity: #523
Imania
- Name meaning: Faith or belief.
- Popularity: This unique I name isn’t currently ranking.
Isa
- Name meaning: God is abundance. Muslim name for Jesus.
- Popularity: This short baby name isn’t in the top 1000.
Ivanka
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: This Trump-reminiscent name is not ranking.
Ivanna
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: #596
If you like these spiritual girl names starting with I, you might also like these names that mean graceful or these elegant girl names.
Unique “I” names for girls
All of these girls’ names starting with I are interesting and unique without being too far out there.
Idara
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This three-syllable girls’ name starting with “I” is not currently ranking.
Idella
- Name meaning: Industrious one.
- Popularity: This I name is not in the top 1000.
Idina
- Name meaning: Wealthy.
- Popularity: This I name for girls is not ranking in the U.S.
Ilaya
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: This girls’ I name is not ranking.
Ilina
- Name meaning: Shining light.
- Popularity: This baby name is not in the top 1000.
Illyria
- Name meaning: Mythological name.
- Popularity: This unusual name isn’t ranking.
Imaria
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This girls’ name starting with “I” is not currently ranking.
Imogen or Imogene
- Name meaning: Maiden.
- Popularity: This I name is not in the top 1000.
Indigo
- Name meaning: Blue or Indian dye.
- Popularity: This I name for girls is not ranking in the U.S.
Indira
- Name meaning: Beauty.
- Popularity: This girls’ I name is not ranking.
Irena or Irina
- Name meaning: Peace.
- Popularity: This baby name is not in the top 1000.
Isadora
- Name meaning: Gift of the goddess Isis.
- Popularity: This long girls’ name is not in the top 1000.
Isha
- Name meaning: Protector.
- Popularity: This girls’ name starting with “I” is not currently ranking.
Itzayana
- Name meaning: Rainbow lady.
- Popularity: #754
Itzel
- Name meaning: Rainbow lady.
- Popularity: This great rainbow baby name for girls is not ranking in the U.S.
Ivella
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: This girls’ I name is not ranking.
Izaria
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This girls’ name starting with “I” is not currently ranking.
If you like uncommon girl names starting with I, you might also like this list of space names.
Uncommon “I” names for girls
Last but not least, here are some uncommon I names for girls that haven’t been given to many baby girls in recent years.
Ila or Iyla
- Name meaning: Island.
- Popularity: Ila ranks #865 and Iyla ranks #910.
Ilene
- Name meaning: Shining light.
- Popularity: This I name isn’t ranking.
Ilona
- Name meaning: Shining light.
- Popularity: This I name isn’t popular in the U.S.
Ilyssa
- Name meaning: Noble.
- Popularity: This baby name is not ranking.
Ingrid
- Name meaning: Loved or beautiful.
- Popularity: This I name hasn’t ranked since 2019.
Irene
- Name meaning: Peace.
- Popularity: #624
Irma
- Name meaning: Complete.
- Popularity: This girls’ I name is not ranking.
More baby names for girls
Before we get to middle name ideas, here are a few related articles that may be helpful if you’re still looking for the perfect name.
Middle name ideas for first names that start with I
Here are some beautiful first + middle name combinations for a first name with “I” as the first letter.
- Idara Lily
- Idella Hazel
- Idina Marie
- Idra Lennox
- Idris Abigail
- Ila Magnolia
- Ilana Blake
- Ilaya Hadley
- Ilene Hazel
- Ilianna Hart
- Ilina Blakely
- Illyria Jade
- Ilona Rose
- Ilsa Penelope
- Ilyssa Avery
- Imani Mackenzie
- Imania Sophie
- Imaria Harlow
- Imogen Piper
- India Everly
- Indiana Aubrey
- Indie Sage
- Indigo Hailey
- Indira Scarlett
- Indra Faye
- Ingrid Olivia
- Ireland Eve
- Irene Rylan
- Irina Juliette
- Iris Blakely
- Irma Madison
- Isa Alexandra
- Isabella Violet
- Isabelle Brooke
- Isadora Mia
- Isha Addilyn
- Isla Madelyn
- Itzayana Faye
- Itzel Phoenix
- Ivanka Sophia
- Ivanna Blaire
- Ivella Rylan
- Ivette Kaitlyn
- Ivonne Victoria
- Ivory Reese
- Ivy Paige
- Izaria Grace
Final thoughts on girl names starting with I
Before you make your daughter’s name official, here are a few questions worth asking yourself:
-
- Does the name have an undesirable meaning? I saw the name Indica on a baby name list… which is a type of marijuana. I also saw the name Isis, which used to evoke the goddess of healing, but currently makes everyone think of the terrorist organization.
- Does the name remind you (or others) of anyone infamous? I’d personally avoid the name Ivanka, which is of course the name of Donald Trump’s daughter. (Consider skipping Ivanna as well, who is his ex-wife).
- Does the name have a negative association? It’s going to be a while until people stop associating the name Ida with the second-most damaging hurricane in Louisiana (after Katrina).
- How often will others assume the wrong spelling of the name? Some of the names on this list of I names for girls are typically spelled with different first letters. For example, Ilyssa is typically spelled Alyssa and Ivette is typically spelled Yvette. Think about whether this will bother you (and whether you think it may bother your daughter).
- Will young kids be able to pronounce the name? It’s really common for little ones to have trouble pronouncing letters and sounds such as “R”, “S”, “L”, “Th”, and “Z”. So, for a period of time, names like Iris and Ilsa might be virtually impossible for your daughter and her friends to say. Again, think about whether this matters to you—it may not.
Ultimately, you and your partner should choose whichever “I” girl name makes you the happiest. It’s a very personal decision that only you can make!
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect girls’ name starting with the letter “I”.
Follow on Pinterest