Names Inspired by Ivy

Ivy was one of the nature names that emerged during the Victorian Era. It ranked in the 200s in America and was a top 100 pick in England before its decline. Over the past decade, Ivy became a "j-shaped" revival, meaning it came back more popular than ever before; it entered the top 100 in 2018.

Parents could be seeking Ivy as an alternative to Ava, another name that is both vintage and modern. However, Ivy has several differences. Even though the nature name is completely feminine, it feels more tailored than girly. Despite ending in the "ee" sound, Ivy sounds more confident than cute (the poison ivy and Ivy League associations could be factors).

For those who find Ivy too popular, are looking for sister names, or just love the name, here are some similar names below the top 100:

Aster

A flower name that also possibly means "star," Aster is rising as a tailored girls' choice even though it is also rising, to a lesser extent, for boys. 

Avis

This short vintage name sounds as tailored as Ivy besides sharing the same second letter of "v." 

Blythe

This tailored name with history means "happiness" along with having the same long vowel as Ivy. 

Briar

Briar connects to the thorny bush, giving it similar dark undertones to Ivy. Its matching long "i" is a bonus. 

Bryony

This name connects to a green vine and is completely feminine in usage and tailored in sound. As with Briar, Bryony shares Ivy's long "i."

Cleo

Because of its "o" ending, vintage Cleo sounds like it could be unisex despite its feminine usage. 

Clover

Modern Clover is another nature name associated with green plants, but in a more positive way. It sounds tailored as well. 

Coral

Coral is a vintage nature name associated with ocean plants (think coral reefs). 

 

Daphne

Daphne has associations with nature through the mythological laurel tree alongside Ivy's confidence. 

Effie

Vintage Effie is a nickname, but it has a grown-up feel thanks to a singing black woman in the musical Dreamgirls.

Fern

Fern has none of Ivy's sounds, but it shares its vintage style, tailored feel, and green color/plant association. 

Flora

Flora, like Ivy, is a vintage nature name mixing soft sounds with confidence. 

Indie

Indie is feminine but not girly and nickname-like but not too cute. That's because it is also a form of modern culture. 

Inez

This form of Agnes is also vintage, having ranked in the top 100 a few times during the 1900s and 1910s. Suffragist Inez Milholland (1886-1916) gives her tailored name a dose of confidence.

Jewel

This old-fashioned gemstone name has confidence and associations like Jewel-Osco.

Mercy

This antique charmer is tailored and ends in "ee," but its "er" sound prevents it from sounding cute. 

Navy

Like Ivy, color name Navy sounds confident despite its "ee" ending (the U.S. Navy is a factor). Even though it is modern and increasingly unisex, Navy remains a much more likely choice for girls. 

Opal

Vintage gemstone name Opal's long "o" sound correlates to Ivy's long "i." Opal also feels tailored and feminine at once. 

Rae

Like Ivy, Rae is a three-letter name with history with connections to nature (rays of sunshine, sting rays) and a tailored sound.

Raven

The name of a black bird, Raven is another nature name with dark connotations. This tailored name also leans more towards the feminine side if it is also used for boys.

Rita

Rita is a nickname for formal choices like Margarita. However, singer Rita Ora gives this vintage name a pack of self-assurance. 

Sylvie

If a bit cute, Sylvie has a mature old-fashioned sound despite never even ranking in the top 1000 until recently. It also has some connection to the natural world even though it is not a nature name.

Tansy

This flower name clearly could be a nickname, but the "Tan" prefix limits the name's cuteness. 

Vera

Designer brand Vera Bradley gives this short name, sharing Ivy's "vee" sound, grown-up confidence. 

Which alternatives do you like best? Which names would you add?