Find out how popular the first name Ebony has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ebony by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ebony is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Ebony being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 19 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ebony.

The history of the first name Ebony

The name Ebony is derived from the ebony tree, which is native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Ebony wood has been prized for centuries for its dark color and fine texture, making it a valuable material for crafting luxury items like furniture, musical instruments, and decorative objects.

The etymology of the name Ebony can be traced back to the Latin word "ebenus," which was borrowed from the Greek word "ebenos." The Greek word is believed to have originated from an ancient Semitic language, possibly Hebrew or Phoenician, where it referred to the dark-colored wood.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Ebony comes from the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, who mentioned it in his play "The Frogs" in 405 BC. In the play, a character named Ebony is described as a beautiful and desirable woman.

In the Middle Ages, the name Ebony was associated with the Virgin Mary, as she was sometimes referred to as the "Ebony of Paradise" in religious texts and poetry. This association likely contributed to the popularity of the name among Christians during this period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Ebony. One of the earliest was Ebony Prudence, a British poet and playwright who lived in the 17th century (c. 1625-1682). Another was Ebony Woodson, an American abolitionist and women's rights activist who was born into slavery in the early 19th century (c. 1810-1892).

In the 20th century, Ebony Browne (1919-2008) was a renowned American ballet dancer and choreographer, known for her performances with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Ebony Underwood (1961-2019) was a Canadian singer and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the pop group Harem Scarem.

More recently, Ebony Rainford-Brent (born 1983) is a former English cricketer and current cricket commentator and administrator. She was the first black woman to play cricket for the England national team and has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the sport.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ebony was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ebony, please contact us.

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