Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Ebonie since 1971
Babies named Ebonie per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 413 |
| 1980s | 1,237 |
| 1990s | 713 |
| 2000s | 248 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ebonie first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1971, and it reached its peak popularity in 1982 when it ranked highest among births. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, and as of 2025, it does not rank in the top 1000 names. The name is a respelling of Ebony, which itself rose in prominence following the launch of Ebony magazine. Ebonie reflects the creative spelling trends of the late 20th century, particularly among African American families. Though it has not seen a revival in recent decades, it remains a distinctive choice with a clear, nature-inspired meaning.
Ebonie is a spelling variant of Ebony, a name that emerged in the United States in the late 1960s. It is derived from the English word ebony, which refers to a dense black wood. The name Ebony gained popularity after the founding of Ebony magazine in 1945, and its variant Ebonie appeared in the early 1970s. The spelling Ebonie may have been influenced by other names ending in the fashionable -ie suffix.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ebbie, Bonnie, Noni
Sibling names for Ebonie
Names that share Ebonie's style, for a brother or sister.
