Irma
Irma is a Germanic girl name meaning “Whole, universal”.
| Meaning | Whole, universal |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | UR-mah |
| Muslim name? | Not a traditional Muslim name |
Meaning and origin of Irma
Irma comes from the old Germanic word element irmin, which meant whole, great or universal. In early Germanic names irmin was joined to other elements, as in Irmgard and Irmtraud, and Irma began as a short form of names of this kind before becoming a name in its own right. Its sense is less 'whole' in the everyday modern meaning and closer to 'immense' or 'all-embracing'. It is not linked to any Arabic, Persian or Turkish word, and occasional claims that it has an Arabic meaning have no basis in dictionaries.
The name became fashionable in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Central Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and travelled from there to the Americas. In the Balkans it was adopted by some Bosniak families during the Yugoslav period, when neutral European names were common, and in Indonesia and Malaysia some Muslim parents choose it purely for its short, pleasant sound. English speakers usually say UR-mah, while most European languages and Indonesian pronounce it EER-mah. The American soul singer Irma Thomas is one well-known bearer.
Famous people named Irma
- Irma Thomas — American soul singer known as the 'Soul Queen of New Orleans'
Is Irma a Muslim name?
Irma is not a traditional Muslim name; it comes from Germanic Europe. Its meaning is harmless, but families wanting an Islamic name with a similar sound often choose Iram, Irha, Ilma or Rima.
Where is the name Irma used?
Used in Europe and Latin America, and occasionally by Muslims in Bosnia and Indonesia.
Gifts with the name Irma
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Spellings and variants of Irma
Muslim names similar to Irma
If you like the sound of Irma but want a name with an Islamic meaning, consider:
Read more
- Bosnian & Albanian Muslim names guide
- Malay & Indonesian Muslim names guide
- Is it a Muslim name? 60 names checked
More girl names like Irma
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Irma mean?
Irma means 'Whole, universal'. It comes from Germanic.
Is Irma a Muslim name?
Irma is not a traditional Muslim name; it comes from Germanic Europe. Its meaning is harmless, but families wanting an Islamic name with a similar sound often choose Iram, Irha, Ilma or Rima.
How do you pronounce Irma?
Irma is pronounced UR-mah.
Does Irma have a meaning in Arabic?
No. Irma has no meaning in Arabic; it comes from a Germanic word meaning whole or great.
Is Irma mentioned in the Quran?
No. Irma is a European name and does not appear in the Quran or in classical Islamic naming.