Christian names beginning with I

Meaning: Latin "fiery" (from ignis, "fire"); the early Christian Ignatius of Antioch took the name with this meaning.

Figure: Multiple major saints: Ignatius of Antioch (second-century bishop and martyr); Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits).

Two major saints carry the name Ignatius. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-108) is the second-century bishop and martyr whose seven letters written on his journey to martyrdom are among the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) is the Basque founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the author of the Spiritual Exercises that have shaped Catholic spirituality across five centuries. The Catholic calendar commemorates Loyola on July 31 and Antioch on October 17.

Meaning: Latin "innocent" or "harmless."

Figure: Multiple popes; thirteen popes have taken the name (Innocent I through Innocent XIII).

The Latin Christian name Innocent has been carried by thirteen popes (Innocent I through Innocent XIII, 401-1724). The name is in some continuing Catholic use, particularly in Continental European families.

Meaning: Greek "peace" (eirene).

Figure: Saint Irene of Thessaloniki; fourth-century martyr.

Saint Irene of Thessaloniki is the early-fourth-century virgin and martyr honored in Orthodox tradition on May 5. The Russian form Irina is among the most-used Orthodox women's names.

Meaning: Hebrew "he laughs" (Sarah's laughter at the promise of a son, Genesis 18:12).

Figure: Son of Abraham and Sarah; the bound son of the Akedah (Genesis 22).

Isaac is the long-promised son of Abraham and Sarah, born in their old age (Genesis 21). The binding of Isaac in Genesis 22 (the Akedah) is one of the most theologically weighted texts in the Hebrew Bible; Christian tradition reads it as a prefiguration of the sacrifice of Christ.

Meaning: Hebrew "the Lord is salvation."

Figure: Major prophet of the eighth century BC; book of Isaiah.

Isaiah is the major prophet whose name and book contain the Old Testament texts most quoted in the New Testament. The passages on the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52-53), the Emmanuel prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), and the calling of Isaiah (Isaiah 6) are foundational Christian readings.