Find out how popular the first name Ivanhoe has been for the last 22 years (from 1982 to 2003) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ivanhoe by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Ivanhoe is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2003, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ivanhoe.

The history of the first name Ivanhoe

The name Ivanhoe is a literary invention, first appearing in the novel of the same name by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1819. The name was likely derived from the Old English words "ifen" meaning "green" and "hoh" meaning "ridge" or "hill". Thus, the name Ivanhoe can be interpreted as "green hill" or "green ridge".

Ivanhoe was the protagonist in Scott's novel, a brave and chivalrous knight during the time of Richard the Lionheart's reign in the late 12th century. The novel's popularity led to the name being adopted as a given name, although it was not in use prior to the book's publication.

While the name Ivanhoe itself does not have a long historical lineage, it has been used by several notable individuals throughout the years. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ivanhoe Donaldson (1888-1947), an American stage and film actor active in the early 20th century.

Another noteworthy figure was Ivanhoe Basnight (1904-1986), an American lawyer and politician who served as the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1953 to 1957. In the field of sports, Ivanhoe Martin (1904-1994) was a successful Canadian ice hockey player and coach, winning multiple championships in the 1930s and 1940s.

More recently, Ivanhoe Newkirk (1924-2008) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded the National Citizenship Education Program. Additionally, Ivanhoe Campbell (born 1947) is a Jamaican-American visual artist and painter, known for his abstract and figurative works.

Despite its fictional origins, the name Ivanhoe has gained a foothold in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its romantic and literary associations have contributed to its enduring appeal as a unique and evocative given name.

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 Ivanhoe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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