Find out how popular the first name Iwona has been for the last 20 years (from 1980 to 1999) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Iwona by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Iwona is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1999, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Iwona.

The history of the first name Iwona

The name Iwona is a Polish feminine given name. It is derived from the Hebrew name Johanna, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is gracious." The name Johanna was brought to Poland through Christianity and evolved into the Polish form Iwona.

Iwona first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, when it was used by Polish nobility and royalty. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Iwona of Czersk, a Polish noblewoman who lived in the late 12th century and was known for her charitable works.

In the 13th century, the name gained popularity among the Polish peasantry and spread throughout the country. By the 15th century, Iwona had become a common name among Polish women of all social classes.

One of the most famous historical figures named Iwona was Iwona Lubomirska (1508-1580), a Polish noblewoman and patron of the arts. She was known for her support of Renaissance artists and writers, and her patronage helped foster the development of Polish culture during the 16th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Iwona Żółkiewska (1590-1634), a Polish military leader and the wife of the famous Polish hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski. She played a crucial role in defending the city of Lviv against the Ottomans during the Polish-Ottoman War of 1620-1621.

In the 17th century, Iwona Dunikowska (1610-1681) was a Polish nun and writer who authored several religious works and was known for her piety and devotion to the Catholic faith.

Iwona Krzyżanowska (1755-1832) was a Polish actress and theater manager who helped to establish the first professional theater in Warsaw and is considered a pioneer of Polish theater.

Iwona Kraska (1926-2009) was a Polish writer and journalist who was known for her works exploring the experiences of women in Poland during World War II and the communist era.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Iwona, which has a rich cultural heritage and has been a part of Polish tradition for many centuries.

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

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

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