Ivor

♂ Boy

Pronounced EYE-vor /ˈaɪ.vɔr/High

Meaning: From Old Norse Ivarr — variously 'a yew bow; an archer' and 'a bow warrior' (yr, 'yew/bow', plus arr, 'a warrior'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A yew bow; an archer warrior: Ivor is the Norse Ivarr — 'an archer warrior'. Crisp, classic, and warm.

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Origin MediumNorse

MeaningFrom Old Norse Ivarr — variously 'a yew bow; an archer' and 'a bow warrior' (yr, 'yew/bow', plus arr, 'a warrior'); routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#7884 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 864

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Ivor comes from Old Norse Ivarr — variously 'a yew bow; an archer' and 'a bow warrior' (yr, 'yew, a bow', plus arr, 'a warrior'; routes layered, which we note). Brought to the Celtic lands by the Vikings, it became a favorite in Wales and Scotland. A crisp, classic name (said 'EYE-vor'; nickname Iv).

In the U.S. it appears in Welsh and Scandinavian families. Rare, a-yew-bow-and-an-archer at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Ivarr is variously 'a yew bow; an archer' and 'a bow warrior' (Old Norse yr, 'yew/bow', plus arr, 'a warrior') — Ivor is its crisp form, classic and warm (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'EYE-vor').

Overall data confidence 60%

Behind the Name — Ivor — routes layered

Variations

IvarrIverIfor

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ivor…

Iver— a fellow spelling

Ivar— the Norse form

Trevor— a sound-neighbor -vor boys' name

Conor— another Celtic boys' name

Explore names like Ivor

By themeuncertain norse scandinavian

By meaningWarrior

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ivor mean?

Ivor is the Norse Ivarr — variously 'a yew bow; an archer' and 'a bow warrior'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ivor?

It's said EYE-vor /ˈaɪ.vɔr/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ivor a boy or girl name?

Ivor is a boy's name.

How popular is Ivor?

Ivor is a rare name in the U.S.