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Irene is one of those old-school names that has suddenly become more appealing for me, as well. I started liking it when I saw a post on here over a year ago from someone whose professor (I think) had just had a baby girl, and named her Calliope Irene. (I still think that's a stunning name, and it makes me wonder if the professor taught Classics.)

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It also makes me think of Irene Adler, which is cool, I guess. It's definitely not a weak name.

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I adore Irene! It's so sparkly and jaunty.

I'm afraid that the only way to have it pronounced with three syllables - which is the only way I like it - is to use an unfamiliar spelling like Eirene or Irina, though that doesn't work too well.

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I like it very much, and regret the global dumbing-down that makes it into ie-REEN.

I prefer Irina, which softens it a bit. Irene is too harsh for my tastes.

Well my first thought is my great aunt who is almost 90 and very opinionated.

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But I do like the name. I think it fits well with the style of Henry, Stella, Madeline, Adeline. It is distinctive in that there aren't really any other names that sound or are spelled like it. It gives off a strong intelligent vibe to me. And a quirky among all the Ava, Sophia, Isabella's.

Irene sounds very "old" to me. I prefer Eileen, because it seems more youthful. I know it might seem like a totally different name, but every time I see Irene, I think of Eileen. Aileen is nice too. When I hear the name Irene, I think of an elderly woman. There's also a harshness about the 'r' that bothers me a little.