Rising since 1996, #378 for girls today.
Popularity of Ivory since 1880
Babies named Ivory per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 17 | 67 |
| 1890s | 97 | 90 |
| 1900s | 184 | 198 |
| 1910s | 407 | 529 |
| 1920s | 524 | 812 |
| 1930s | 454 | 771 |
| 1940s | 526 | 975 |
| 1950s | 524 | 1,516 |
| 1960s | 362 | 918 |
| 1970s | 430 | 695 |
| 1980s | 1,203 | 674 |
| 1990s | 1,181 | 479 |
| 2000s | 1,329 | 309 |
| 2010s | 3,507 | 347 |
| 2020s | 3,801 | 188 |
Meaning & origin
Ivory has a long history as a given name, first recorded in the U.S. in 1886. After a period of dormancy, it began rising again in 1996 and has climbed steadily, reaching its peak rank of 378 in 2025. The name is especially popular in Alaska, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, reflecting a broader trend toward nature-inspired and color names. With a current rarity of about 1 in 1,984 births, Ivory remains distinctive yet accessible, fitting alongside other material names like Pearl and Jade that have seen renewed interest.
Ivory is derived from the Latin word 'ebur' via Old French 'ivoire', ultimately from ancient Egyptian 'âb' (elephant). The name entered use as a color name in the 19th century, later adopted as a given name in the late 1800s, likely influenced by the Victorian fashion for gemstone and material names.
Where Ivory 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.
“Ivory” around the world
Where Ivory lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ivy, Vivi, Vee
Sibling names for Ivory
Names that share Ivory's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Ivory
Names whose popularity has moved with Ivory's over the last 50 years.
