Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Iva
GirlSlavic· “willow”
- Meaning
- willow
- Origin
- Slavic
- Pronunciation
- EE-vuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,740
- US babies 2025
- 117
- Best rank
- #111 (1894)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Iva
Iva is a Slavic name that is usually said to mean “willow”.
Iva has two main roots. In the Slavic languages iva is the word for the willow tree, and the name is used in Czech, Croatian, Bulgarian and neighboring cultures. It also serves as a short form of Ivana, the feminine of Ivan, the Slavic form of John. In the US it had a period of use in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which gives it a vintage feel today. The usual pronunciation is EE-vuh, though some older American families said EYE-vuh. It fits beside other brief, vowel-rich names like Ada, Ivy and Eva.
Popularity over time
Iva 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 82 different years. Its best national rank was #111 in 1894, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 889 were named Iva. In 2025, 117 babies were named Iva, and it ranked #1,740 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #222 in 1920, #577 in 1950, #2,228 in 1980, #3,552 in 2000, #2,879 in 2010, and #1,740 in 2025. Of the 38,397 US girls named Iva since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 6,875 babies. Since 2010, 1,555 more have been named Iva.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ora, Effie, Cecelia, Luella, and Alta.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Iva ranked highest in Ohio, Alabama, and Georgia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Iva is usually pronounced EE-vuh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with I and ends in “-va”.
Middle names for Iva
A few middle names that flow with Iva: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Iva
Similar names
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Lists that include Iva
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Iva mean?
Iva is a Slavic name that is usually said to mean “willow”.
What is the origin of the name Iva?
Iva has Slavic roots. Iva has two main roots.
Is Iva a popular name?
Not especially. Iva ranked #1,740 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Iva a boy or girl name?
Iva is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Iva?
Iva is usually pronounced EE-vuh. 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