Declining since 2011, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Ione since 1880
Babies named Ione per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ione's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 189 |
| 1890s | 538 |
| 1900s | 881 |
| 1910s | 2,561 |
| 1920s | 2,677 |
| 1930s | 1,418 |
| 1940s | 626 |
| 1950s | 369 |
| 1960s | 162 |
| 1970s | 44 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 77 |
| 2000s | 133 |
| 2010s | 225 |
| 2020s | 78 |
Meaning & origin
Ione is a rarely used feminine name of Greek origin, derived from ion meaning 'violet.' In Greek mythology, Ione was a Nereid, one of the fifty sea nymphs. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1880, but its peak came in 1908 when it ranked as the 1908th most popular name that year. Since 2011, its usage has been declining, and as of 2025, it sees only about 1 in 107,151 births. Ione has not been widely associated with any particular state or trend, remaining a distinctly uncommon choice. Its classic mythological root and gentle sound appeal to parents seeking rare, vintage options without the burden of modern popularity. The name was moderately fashionable in the early 20th century, fitting alongside other recovered Greek revival names such as Clio and Phoebe.
Ione is derived from the Greek word ion, meaning 'violet.' In Greek mythology, Ione was a sea nymph, one of the Nereids. The name was adopted in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, likely influenced by literary works and the Victorian fashion for classical names.
Where Ione 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: Io, Onie
Sibling names for Ione
Names that share Ione's style, for a brother or sister.
