name
Uncommon
Irving
UR-vihng
Irving (name) means a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of Irvine. Example: “Washington Irving was a famous American author.”
name
1
A surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of Irvine.
"Washington Irving was a famous American author."
2
A male given name, historically also used by English-speaking Jewish families as an anglicised form of Israel.
"His grandfather went by Irving after emigrating."
3
A place name shared by several towns in the US, including a city in Dallas County, Texas.
"She grew up in Irving, Texas."
How to use Irving
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surname, given name, or American place name related to Irvine.
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Washington _____ was a famous American author.
Etymology
A variant of the Scottish surname Irvine, likely from a Celtic word related to Welsh ir/yr ("fresh") plus afon ("river").
Frequently asked questions
What does “Irving” mean?
The word “Irving” means a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of Irvine. In plain terms, a surname, given name, or American place name related to Irvine.
How do you pronounce “Irving”?
“Irving” is pronounced UR-vihng (/ˈɝ.vɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Irving” in a sentence?
Here is “Irving” used in a sentence: “Washington Irving was a famous American author.”
What part of speech is “Irving”?
“Irving” is a name.
Where does the word “Irving” come from?
The word “Irving” comes from Welsh. A variant of the Scottish surname Irvine, likely from a Celtic word related to Welsh ir/yr ("fresh") plus afon ("river").
Is “Irving” a common word?
“Irving” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Irving” have?
“Irving” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of Irvine.
Is Irving a first name or a surname?
Irving can be both. It is a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of Irvine, and also a male given name, historically used by English-speaking Jewish families as an anglicised form of Israel.
Where does the name Irving come from?
As a surname, Irving is of Scottish Gaelic origin and is a variant of Irvine. As a given name, it has a separate history of use by English-speaking Jewish families as an anglicised form of Israel.
Is Irving a place name as well as a personal name?
Yes, Irving is shared by several towns in the United States, including a city in Dallas County, Texas. It functions as a surname, a given name, and a place name.
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