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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iva

Iva

♀ Girl

Pronounced EEV-a /ˈiv.æ/Low

Meaning: South Slavic 'willow' (iva), also short form of Ivana.Low

In 30 seconds: Iva is a South Slavic name meaning 'willow', and also a short form of Ivana.
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Origin LowSlavic
MeaningSouth Slavic 'willow' (iva), also short form of Ivana.
U.S. rank (2025)#1740 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births117 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 38,393

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

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

Iva has two strands: in South Slavic it is the word iva 'willow', and it also stands as a short form of Ivana. That gives it both a nature meaning and a place within the Ivan family of names. Compact and clear, it carries plenty in just two syllables.

Croatian tennis champion Iva Majoli and Czech musician Iva Bittová show the name lives comfortably across Slavic Europe, whether read as 'willow' or as a trim form of Ivana.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Iva is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Iva — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Iva Majoli (1977-present)
    Croatian former professional tennis player who won the 1997 French Open singles title.
  • ★Iva Bittová (1958-present)
    Czech avant-garde singer, violinist and composer.

If you like Iva…

Ivana— The fuller name Iva serves as a short form of.
Eva— A near-twin in sound to Iva, differing by a single vowel.
Alya— shares Iva's Slavic roots
Jana— shares Iva's Slavic roots
Sonia— a fellow Slavic choice

Frequently Asked

What does the name Iva mean?

Iva is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Iva?

It's commonly said EEV-a /ˈiv.æ/.

Is Iva a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Iva is used as a girl name.

How popular is Iva?

In 2024, Iva ranked #2170 in the U.S. for girls, with 87 births recorded.

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