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Ivory

Pronunciation: [ EYEV-er-ee ]

Girl Name #404 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

Creamy, warm, and luminously beautiful

English American African-American
Elegant Unique Earthy Gentle Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"ivory white"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
"of elephant tusk color"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin

Things to Know About This Name

  • Ivory as a material is associated with elephant poaching and the ivory trade, which some parents may consider

The Story of Ivory

Ivory derives from the Old French 'ivoire' and Latin 'ebur' (ivory), referring to the creamy white material made from elephant tusks. The word entered English in the 13th century. As a personal name, Ivory has been used since the 19th century in the American South, valued for its warmth, beauty, and pleasing sound.

Ivory has experienced renewed interest in the 2010s-2020s as parents seek nature-inspired and material-based names (Jade, Ruby, Onyx, Coral). The soft three-syllable sound and elegant imagery make it attractive to parents seeking something distinctive but not invented.

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) in West Africa carries this name at a national level. 'Ebony and Ivory' (Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, 1982) brought the word into pop culture as a symbol of racial harmony.

Fun Facts

  • 'Ebony and Ivory' by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder (1982) was a #1 hit in 15 countries
  • The international ivory trade has been banned since 1989 under CITES
  • Ivory soap, introduced in 1879, was one of America's first nationally advertised consumer products

Ivory in Other Languages

French Ivoire
German Elfenbein
Italian Avorio
Spanish Marfil
Japanese アイボリー

Famous People Named Ivory

I

Ivory (WWE)

Athlete

1966

Professional wrestler Lisa Moretti, known by ring name Ivory, WWE Hall of Famer

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#404
Total SSA Count
784
Cultural Origins
English American African-American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Ivy Vory

Pairs Well With

Ivory Rose Ivory Grace Ivory Dawn Ivory Mae Ivory June Ivory Claire Ivory Lane

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Ivory is also used as a boy name, ranked #3444.

View Ivory as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ivory

What does the name Ivory mean?
"ivory white" (from Old French). "of elephant tusk color" (from Latin). Ivory derives from the Old French 'ivoire' and Latin 'ebur' (ivory), referring to the creamy white material made from elephant tusks. The word entered English in the 13th century. As a personal name, Ivory has been used since the 19th century in the American South, valued for its warmth, beauty, and pleasing sound.
What is the origin of the name Ivory?
Ivory has Old French, Latin, English, American, and African-American origins. In Old French, it means "ivory white". In Latin, it means "of elephant tusk color".
Is Ivory a boy or girl name?
Ivory is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #404. As a boy name, it is ranked #3444. 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 #404 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ivory?
Common nicknames for Ivory include Ivy and Vory.
What are good middle names for Ivory?
Popular middle name pairings include Ivory Rose, Ivory Grace, Ivory Dawn, Ivory Mae, Ivory June, Ivory Claire, and Ivory Lane.
What are good sibling names for Ivory?
Names that pair well with Ivory as siblings include Jasper, Pearl, Onyx, Ruby, Slate, and Coral.
How many syllables does Ivory have?
Ivory has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ivory a common or rare name?
Ivory is a popular name, ranked #404 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Ivory

Ivory is a girl name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "ivory white" in Old French .

Is Ivory a boy or girl name? Ivory is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #404 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,444. Ivory is more commonly used as a girl name.

Ivory is currently ranked #404 in popularity for girl 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 Ivy and Vory. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Ivory include Ivori . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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