Ivy

♀ Girl

Pronounced EYE-vee /ˈaɪ.vi/High

Meaning: Ivy plant; the climbing vine; associated with fidelity and eternityHigh

In 30 seconds: From Old English for the ivy plant, a vine symbolizing fidelity, friendship, and eternity. Ivy is a crisp nature name that has climbed rapidly into the U.S. top 30.

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Origin HighOld English

MeaningIvy plant; the climbing vine; associated with fidelity and eternity

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 47,086

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ivy comes from the Old English ifig, the climbing vine Hedera helix. In ancient Greece and Rome, ivy was sacred to Dionysus/Bacchus and associated with poets and scholars. In Christian tradition it symbolized eternal life and fidelity. It was used as a symbol in Freemasonry and is associated with the Ivy League universities.

Ivy was used as a given name in the Victorian era alongside other plant names, achieving modest popularity. It declined through the mid-20th century before staging a significant revival from the 2000s onward, aided in part by the popularity boost from Jay-Z and Beyoncé naming their daughter Blue Ivy in 2012. It entered the U.S. top 50 in the 2010s.

Did you know? Ivy has been woven into wedding traditions for centuries — brides have carried ivy in bridal bouquets since Victorian times as a symbol of fidelity and lasting commitment. Ivy-clad buildings are associated with prestigious universities (the Ivy League) and scholarly tradition.

Variations

IvieIvey

Nicknames

Ives

Famous Bearers

★Blue Ivy Carter (2012–)
Daughter of Jay-Z and Beyoncé, whose birth boosted the wider Ivy name trend.

If you like Ivy…

Violet— shares the Victorian botanical nature-name revival

Lily— equally crisp floral name with the same comeback trajectory

Hazel— shares the Edwardian nature-name revival and two-syllable ease

Willow— another plant name with the same feminine natural grace

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ivy mean?

Ivy comes from Old English ifig, the climbing ivy plant, long associated with fidelity, eternal life, and scholarly tradition in European cultures.

How do you pronounce Ivy?

Ivy is said EYE-vee /ˈaɪ.vi/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Ivy a boy or girl name?

Ivy is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Ivy?

Ivy entered the U.S. top 50 girls' names around 2018 and has continued climbing, fueled by the natural-name trend and high-profile celebrity use.