Irving

Irving began as a Scottish place and surname name before becoming an established first name. Washington Irving makes its surname history especially recognizable, while composer Irving Berlin illustrates its later use as a personal name. The name’s route into American naming is therefore different from that of an ancient biblical given name.

Irving also became familiar among Jewish American families, including those of writers Irving Stone and Irving Wallace. Its cultural history reflects that American use without making the name itself Hebrew in origin. Irv is a conventional short form, and actor Ving Rhames provides a recognizable example of the shorter Ving. Irvin and Irvine are close forms to compare.