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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ebony

Ebony

♀ Girl

Pronounced EB-ə-nee /ˈɛb.ə.ni/High

Meaning: From the word ebony — from Greek ebenos (via Egyptian hbny), 'ebony, a deep black hardwood'Medium

In 30 seconds: Deep, rich black: Ebony is the word-name for the prized black wood. Elegant, warm, and striking.
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Origin MediumGreek, Egyptian
MeaningFrom the word ebony — from Greek ebenos (via Egyptian hbny), 'ebony, a deep black hardwood'
U.S. rank (2025)#5452 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births23 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1982
Total births (all-time)≈ 38,998

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198219502025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ebony comes from the word ebony — from Greek ebenos, via Egyptian hbny, 'ebony, a deep black hardwood' (a prized, lustrous timber). An elegant, warm, striking word-name (Ebony magazine, a celebration of Black culture and beauty); a symbol of richness and depth.

In the U.S. it peaked in the 1980s. Rare now, a-deep-black-wood at the root, and elegant.

Did you know? Ebony means 'a deep black hardwood' (Greek ebenos, from Egyptian hbny) — a prized, lustrous timber — an elegant, striking word-name (Ebony magazine; a symbol of rich beauty).
Overall data confidence 70%
Oxford English Dictionary — ebony — word origin

Variations

EboniEbonie

Nicknames

Ebbie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ebony…

Ivory— a companion material word-name
Amber— another rich-toned word-name
Jade— a fellow gem/material girls' name
Stefany— echoes that soft -ny sound
Briany— shares Ebony's Greek roots

Explore names like Ebony

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ebony mean?

Ebony is the word for 'a deep black hardwood' (Greek, from Egyptian).

How do you pronounce Ebony?

It's said EB-ə-nee /ˈɛb.ə.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ebony a boy or girl name?

Ebony is a girl's name.

How popular is Ebony?

Ebony is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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