Ebbony
A girl's name with 18 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Ebbony is a three-syllable girl's name with a sharp, distinct sound — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. With only 18 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Ebbony is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ebbony is a feminine name, a variant spelling of Ebony — from the dense, dark hardwood that comes primarily from tropical forests in Africa and Asia. Ebony has been used as a given name, particularly in African American communities, since the 1970s, often associated with beauty, strength, and cultural pride.
The doubling of the -bb- in Ebbony creates a more unusual visual form of the familiar name while keeping the same warm sound. The wood itself is prized for its beauty and durability — qualities that translate naturally into naming aspirations.
EtymologyShow more
Ebbony's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. Names that emerged in late-twentieth-century America were often created by blending sounds, respelling existing names, or combining elements from multiple languages — a form of linguistic creativity that makes pinning down a single origin difficult.
What the data does show: Ebbony has 18 recorded U.S. births as a girl's name, with its sharp, distinct ending ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ebbony has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1983.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 11 | — |
The Story of Ebbony
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Ebbony is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Ebbony are most likely born between 1989 and 1999.
How rare is Ebbony?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ebbony is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1983, peaked in the 1980s with 11 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 1983–1999)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 7 | #11731 |
| 1989 | 5 | #12955 |
| 1983 | 6 | #9350 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1983–1999