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

Popularity of Ivory by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ivory is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 81% of people named Ivory being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 581 female babies and 28 male babies born with the name Ivory.

The history of the first name Ivory

The name Ivory is an English name derived from the word "ivory," which refers to the hard, white material that comes from the tusks of elephants. The name is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century, during a period when the ivory trade was flourishing in parts of Europe and North America.

The earliest recorded use of the name Ivory can be traced back to the late 1800s. One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name was Ivory Jeffries, an American baseball player who was born in 1892 and played for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Browns in the early 20th century.

In the realm of literature, one of the most famous individuals named Ivory was Ivory Perry, an American writer and poet who was born in 1940. He is best known for his works exploring African American culture and identity, such as the poetry collection "Mugging the Muse" (1974).

Another notable Ivory was Ivory Williams, an American blues singer and songwriter who was born in 1923. She was a pioneering figure in the Memphis blues scene and recorded several influential albums in the 1960s and 1970s, including "Ivory's Blues" (1968).

In the world of sports, Ivory Lyles was an American track and field athlete who competed in the 1980s and 1990s. She specialized in the hurdles events and won silver medals in the 100m hurdles at both the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.

More recently, Ivory Aquino is an American actress and advocate for transgender rights. Born in 1983, she has appeared in various television shows and films, including roles in "When We Rise" (2017) and "Tales of the City" (2019).

While the name Ivory is not as common as some other English names, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including athletes, writers, musicians, and actors. The name's connection to the ivory material gives it a unique and evocative quality.

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

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

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