Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Ione
GirlGreek· “violet”
- Meaning
- violet
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- eye-OH-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #7,265
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #327 (1916)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Ione
Ione is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “violet”.
Ione is a Greek name related to ion, violet. In Greek mythology, Ione is one of the Nereids, the sea nymphs. The name was used in nineteenth-century England, partly through Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel The Last Days of Pompeii, where Ione is a heroine. It is said eye-OH-nee in America, three syllables with the stress on the middle. Some people say EYE-ohn. The name has a delicate, classical feel. Its violet meaning adds a floral touch.
Popularity over time
Ione has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 64 different years. Its best national rank was #327 in 1916, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 367 were named Ione. In 2025, 15 babies were named Ione, and it ranked #7,265 nationally. That is 42% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #342 in 1920, #1,535 in 1950, #9,434 in 2000, #5,494 in 2010, and #7,265 in 2025. Of the 10,004 US girls named Ione since records began, 27% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 2,561 babies. Since 2010, 303 more have been named Ione.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Corine, Theda, Reva, Florine, and Lelia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ione is usually pronounced eye-OH-nee, with three syllables. It has four letters, starts with I and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Ione
A few middle names that flow with Ione: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ione
Similar names
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Lists that include Ione
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ione mean?
Ione is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “violet”.
What is the origin of the name Ione?
Ione has Greek roots. Ione is a Greek name related to ion, violet.
Is Ione a popular name?
Not especially. Ione ranked #7,265 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ione a boy or girl name?
Ione is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ione?
Ione is usually pronounced eye-OH-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings