Ivory

At a Glance

Meaning

Ivory, white/pure (as the tusk material)

Origin

English (modern given name from the word 'ivory', the surname is habitational, from Ivry in Normandy, or a patronymic diminutive of Ivor)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

EYE-vor-eeListen

Ivory is a modern given name, used for both boys and girls, that comes straight from the word for the white material of an elephant's tusk — so the name genuinely does mean white, or pure. It's pronounced EYE-vor-ee. If you've come across Ivory as a surname too, that version has a different root: it traces back to the Norman place name Ivry, or serves as a diminutive of Ivor, so only the first-name use actually carries that tusk-white meaning.

Meaning & Origin of Ivory

Meaning: Ivory, white/pure (as the tusk material).

Origin: English (modern given name from the word 'ivory', the surname is habitational, from Ivry in Normandy, or a patronymic diminutive of Ivor).

A common claim: Ivory is said to mean 'white as elephant tusks' or 'pure white.' Actually: Many assume the surname itself comes from the word 'ivory,' but it actually traces to the Norman place name Ivry (or a diminutive of Ivor); only the modern first-name usage genuinely reflects the tusk material.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ivory

Popularity of Ivory

In Social Security data stretching back to 1880, Ivory has never ranked higher than it does right now: #404 in 2024, the year it was given to 784 babies.

Names Like Ivory

These names share Ivory’s style, era or origin.

• Addison
• Avery
• Baker
• Banks
• Carter
• Denver

FAQ

What does the name Ivory mean?

Ivory, white/pure (as the tusk material). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ivory?

Ivory is pronounced EYE-vor-ee (IPA: /ˈaɪvəri/).

Is Ivory a popular name right now?

Ivory is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #404 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Ivory Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ivory, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.