Irving is a masculine given name of Scottish origin, derived from the surname Irving, a variant of Irvine which comes from the town of Irvine in North Ayrshire. The town is named after the River Irvine, whose name is thought to originate from Brythonic elements meaning "green water". Historically, Irving has been adopted as a given name, especially among Jewish communities in the United States, where it served as an American-sounding form of Hebrew names beginning with I, such as Isaac, Israel, and Isaiah [1]. Notable Bearers One of the most famous bearers is the Russian-American songwriter and lyricist Irving Berlin (1888–1989), whose birth name was Israel Beilin; his adoption of the name Irving reflects the common practice among Jewish immigrants. Other notable individuals with the surname Irving include Canadian industrialist Arthur Irving, American actress Amy Irving, and controversial British writer David Irving. Cultural Significance Irving has been used as a given name since at least the 19th century. It exemplifies the trend among American Jews to adopt surnames as given names or subtly variant forms that sounded less overtly ethnic. This strategy is also seen in names like Irwin and Isadore. The name Irving also appears in popular culture, such as in the sitcom Las Vegas (2003–2008) with the character Ed Deline's brother. Meaning: from Scottish surname Irvine, ultimately Brythonic for "green water" Origin: Scottish surname, later used as a given name Type: primarily masculine given name Usage Regions: English-speaking world, especially Jewish communities in the U.S.