Declining since 1985, #5,410 for girls today.
Popularity of Ebony since 1950
Babies named Ebony per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 59 |
| 1970s | 6,688 |
| 1980s | 18,263 |
| 1990s | 10,174 |
| 2000s | 2,911 |
| 2010s | 742 |
| 2020s | 155 |
Meaning & origin
Ebony entered U.S. birth records in 1950 and rose quickly through the 1960s and 1970s, reaching its peak rank in 1982 when it was given to several hundred baby girls that year. Since 1985, its trajectory has been falling, and in 2025 it stands at rank 5410, with only about 1 in 69,881 newborns receiving the name. Ebony is a modern English color-and-nature name, part of a wave of word names that became fashionable in the second half of the 20th century, especially among African-American families. Unlike many names that derive from older roots, Ebony is a direct borrowing from the vocabulary word, giving it a distinct and contemporary feel. Its strongest associations are with the deep black wood prized for carving and decorative inlays. Despite its decline from the heights of the 1980s, the name remains recognizable and retains a sleek, elegant quality.
Ebony is a modern English name taken directly from the word for the dense black wood, which itself comes from the Latin 'ebenus' and Greek 'ebenos', ultimately from an Ancient Egyptian or Semitic source. The name gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as part of a trend using nature and color words as given names, particularly within the African-American community. It was first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1950 and saw its peak in 1982.
Where Ebony is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ebbie, Eb, Bonnie
Sibling names for Ebony
Names that share Ebony's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ashanti, Kiana, Keisha, Monique, Tiana, Candace, Lakesha, Latasha, Latisha, Shantel, Keysha, Lakeshia, Lakisha, Laquisha, Lashaunda, Mahogany, Marquetta, Shalonda, Shaneka, Shaquana, Tawanna, Tonisha, Twanda, Deangela, Diamonique, Ebone, Katasha, Laquesha, Latasia, Lekesha, Makisha, Markesha, Roshonda, Shakela, Shaquanda, Shatavia, Shatoria, Shenequa, Tameeka, Deondria, Deshonda, Elbony, Kenita, Lacole, Laportia, Lasaundra, Latausha, Lekeisha, Mahagony, Mahogani, Nekeisha, Rashaunda, Rashawna, Roshawnda, Shakerra, Shamieka, Shaquasia, Shereese, Tekesha, Tykeisha, Chrishonda, Fantashia, Kimyatta, Lachrisha, Lakaisha, Lakethia, Laketia, Lakysha, Laqueisha, Laqueshia, Lasheika, Lataysha, Lequisha, Leshea, Mahogony, Marquasha, Quinetta, Rashawnda, Shakenya, Shalondra, Shamecka, Shaneequa, Shaniquia, Shaquanta, Shaqueta, Sharniece, Sharnise, Shawndrea, Shondrea, Taleshia, Taniqua, Teneshia, Tyrhonda
Brothers: Jamar, Darius, Malik, Trevon, DeShawn, Demarcus, Demarkus, Lamarcus, Marquis, Terell, Damarcus, Deondre, Dondre, Jermel, Ladarius, Laquan, Shedrick, Antjuan, Antwuan, Demarquis, Diandre, Dmarcus, Jermell, Jermichael, Lemarcus, Marquice, Martavius, Raeshawn, Tirrell, Delonte, Deondray, Dontel, Dontrel, Dvonte, Ebon, Johntavious, Laterrance, Rontavious, Davarious, Delquan, Dontarious, Dontrez, Jermarcus, Kawon, Kevonta, Labarron, Lacharles, Lamarkus, Ledarrius, Quashon, Quinterrius
Names like Ebony
Names whose popularity has moved with Ebony's over the last 50 years.
