How to say it
EYE · vee
ˈaɪ.vi
Feminine
Ivy
Ivy plant
What it means
From the Old English ifig, the evergreen climbing plant. A botanical name with a winter-stubborn quality.
Ivy joined the Victorian-era wave of nature names (Lily, Violet, Rose, Daisy, Willow) and stayed in regular use through the early 20th century before falling out of fashion. The plant's evergreen tenacity (it keeps its leaves through winter, climbs walls indefinitely) became symbolic of fidelity and lasting attachment in folk tradition. The 2010s revival put the name back into the US top hundred for girls and still climbing. Rarely shortened; Ivy is short enough already.
How to spell Ivy
The standard spelling is Ivy. Common variants include Ivey, Ivee, but Ivy is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #36 in 2024, currently #39 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Poison Ivy DC Comics botanist-turned-eco-terrorist, Pamela Isley
- Blue Ivy Carter Beyoncé and Jay-Z's first daughter, born 2012
Spelling variants
- Ivey
- Ivee
Names with the same feeling
See Ivy from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Ivy mean?
- From the Old English ifig, the evergreen climbing plant. A botanical name with a winter-stubborn quality.
- What does Ivy mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Ivy means "Ivy plant." Ivy joined the Victorian-era wave of nature names (Lily, Violet, Rose, Daisy, Willow) and stayed in regular use through the early 20th century before falling out of fashion. The plant's evergreen tenacity (it keeps its leaves through winter, climbs walls indefinitely) became symbolic of fidelity and lasting attachment in folk tradition. The 2010s revival put the name back into the US top hundred for girls and still climbing. Rarely shortened; Ivy is short enough already.
- How do you pronounce Ivy?
- Ivy is pronounced ˈaɪ.vi. Say it as EYE-vee, with the stress on the "eye" syllable.
- How do you spell Ivy?
- The standard spelling is Ivy. Common spelling variants include Ivey, Ivee.
- Is Ivy a boy or girl name?
- Ivy is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Ivy?
- Ivy ranked #39 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.