"ivory; creamy white material"
Origin: English/Latin
Language: English
Ivory
Pronunciation: [ EYEV-er-ee ]
Does Ivory flow with your last name?
A rare and elegant material name with natural beauty
African American
American
Unique
Earthy
Bold
Vintage
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Ivory trade and elephant poaching associations may concern environmentally conscious parents
- The Ebony and Ivory song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder (1982) may prompt associations with racial symbolism
The Story of Ivory
Ivory as a given name derives from the English word for the hard white material obtained from elephant and mammoth tusks. The word entered English through Old French ivoire from Latin ebur, with possible Semitic roots. As a given name, Ivory has been used in American culture, particularly in African American communities in the South, as a color or material name evoking purity, rarity, and natural beauty.
Ivory has been used sporadically as a given name, most commonly in the American South and in African American communities. It gained cultural visibility through the Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder duet Ebony and Ivory (1982), which became one of the best-selling singles of that year.
Ivory carries associations with rarity, purity, and elegance. In African American naming traditions, material and color names like Ivory, Ebony, Amber, and Jade have been used as distinctive, beautiful given names since the 20th century. Piano keys were historically called ivories, connecting the name to music.
Historical Record
Ivory first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,095 babies have been named Ivory in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ivory is past its peak , currently ranked #3,444 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The phrase tickling the ivories refers to playing piano keys, which were historically made of elephant ivory until synthetic alternatives replaced them
- Ivory Joe Hunter (1914-1974) was a pioneering African American R&B and blues musician known as The Baron of the Boogie
Ivory in Other Languages
French
Ivoire
German
Elfenbein
Spanish
Marfil
Japanese
アイボリー
Popularity Over Time
#3,444
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,444
- Total SSA Count
- 34
- Cultural Origins
- African American American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Iv
Ivey
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ivory
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ivory is also used as a girl name, ranked #404.
View Ivory as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old French origin
"horse keeper, stable master"
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Irish Gaelic origin
"slender, narrow"
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Shamar
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Hebrew origin
"to guard, to keep watch"
#3,303 in US
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American invented origin
"renowned, famous"
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Hebrew origin
"holder of the heel, supplanter"
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Arabic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ivory
What does the name Ivory mean?
"ivory; creamy white material" (from English/Latin). Ivory as a given name derives from the English word for the hard white material obtained from elephant and mammoth tusks. The word entered English through Old French ivoire from Latin ebur, with possible Semitic roots. As a given name, Ivory has been used in American culture, particularly in African American communities in the South, as a color or material name evoking purity, rarity, and natural beauty.
What is the origin of the name Ivory?
Ivory has English/Latin, African American, and American origins. In English/Latin, it means "ivory; creamy white material".
Is Ivory a boy or girl name?
Ivory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3444. As a girl name, it is ranked #404. Ivory is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ivory?
Ivory is pronounced EYEV-er-ee.
How popular is the name Ivory?
Ivory is currently ranked #3444 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ivory?
Common nicknames for Ivory include Ivey.
What are good middle names for Ivory?
Popular middle name pairings include Ivory James, Ivory Ray, Ivory Lee, Ivory Marcus, Ivory Bernard, Ivory Alexander, and Ivory Dontae.
What are good sibling names for Ivory?
Names that pair well with Ivory as siblings include Ebony, Jade, Amber, Onyx, Cedar, Stone, and Sage.
How many syllables does Ivory have?
Ivory has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ivory a common or rare name?
Ivory is an uncommon name, ranked #3444 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ivory
Ivory is a boy name with African American and American origins . The name means "ivory; creamy white material" in English/Latin .
Is Ivory a boy or girl name? Ivory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,444 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #404. Ivory is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ivory is currently ranked #3,444 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ivory has 3 syllables and is pronounced EYEV-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ivory include Iv and Ivey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis