Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Ivor since 1896
Babies named Ivor per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ivor's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 5 |
| 1900s | 5 | 7 |
| 1910s | 12 | 114 |
| 1920s | 29 | 135 |
| 1930s | 0 | 100 |
| 1940s | 0 | 93 |
| 1950s | 0 | 74 |
| 1960s | 0 | 62 |
| 1970s | 0 | 44 |
| 1980s | 0 | 34 |
| 1990s | 0 | 18 |
| 2000s | 0 | 51 |
| 2010s | 0 | 60 |
| 2020s | 0 | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Ivor is a name of ancient Norse and Celtic origins, with a history that stretches back over a millennium. In the United States, it saw its peak popularity in 1902, ranking 7,679th in 2025. Today, it is a rare but steady choice, with a stable trajectory. While it never appears among the top states, its usage is scattered. The name's connection to the yew tree and archery gives it a natural, straightforward appeal. Its simplicity and strong consonant-vowel structure make it easy to pronounce across languages. Ivor has a distinguished literary history, borne by the medieval Welsh poet Ivor Bach, and is a familiar name in Wales and Scotland. For parents seeking a name that is classic without being common, Ivor offers a strong, singular option.
Ivor is derived from the Old Norse name Ívarr, composed of elements meaning 'yew' and 'army' or 'warrior'. It entered the British Isles via Viking settlers, where it was adopted into Gaelic as Íomhar and into Welsh as Ivor. The name has been in use in Wales and Scotland since the Middle Ages, and experienced a modest revival in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ivy
Sibling names for Ivor
Names that share Ivor's style, for a brother or sister.
