Ivor is an English masculine given name derived either directly from the Norse ''Ívarr'', or from Welsh (which spells it ''Ifor''), Irish (sometimes ''Ibar''), or Scottish, all of which likely derive it also from the original Norse form.The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Names (1947) by E. G. Withycombe The Norse name is derived from the Old Norse elements ''ýr'' (yew, bow) and ''herr'' (warrior, army): hence, 'archer, bow warrior'. It is possible the old Norse name ''Ívarr'' comes from the Celtic root and may be related to the Celtic root of ''-iv'' which is found in ''St. Ives'' for example, itself possibly referring to yew. This could indicate an earlier shared language origin; potentially through Indo-European, previous contact or another source. Some of the earliest known bearers of the name are Ibar of Beggerin, an Irish saint who may have preceded or been contemporary with

St. Patrick ST, St, or St. may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Stanza, in poetry * Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band * Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise * Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy an ...

and probably died in the 500s; Ivar the Boneless, an 800s Viking who was possibly identical to the ''Ímair'' attested in Irish and Scottish annals; and Ifor Bach, a Welsh leader of the 1100s.

People

Religious

Íbar of Killibar Beg, an early Irish saint. Unknown if related to Ibar of Beggerin.

Academics

Ivor Agyeman-Duah Ivor Agyeman-Duah (born 1966) is a Ghanaian academic, economist, writer, editor and film director. He has worked in Ghana's diplomatic service and has served as an advisor on development policy. Biography Ivor Agyeman-Duah was born in Kumasi, Gha ...

(born 1966), Ghanaian academic, economist and writer *

Ivor Grattan-Guinness Ivor Owen Grattan-Guinness (23 June 1941 – 12 December 2014) was a historian of mathematics and logic. Life Grattan-Guinness was born in Bakewell, England; his father was a mathematics teacher and educational administrator. He gained his bac ...

, British historian of mathematics and logic *

Ivor van Heerden Ivor van Heerden holds a doctorate degree in Marine Sciences and was the deputy director of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Hurricane Center, before being dismissed by LSU with no reason given, following Hurricane Katrina. He is also the dire ...

, South African-born American meteorologist *

Ivor G. Wilks Professor Emeritus Ivor G. Wilks (19 July 1928 – 7 October 2014)"Professor Ivor Wilks is dead"
, Star ...

(1928–2014), British Africanist and historian

Arts and entertainment

* Ivor Barnard (1887–1953), English actor * Ivor Casey (born 1983), Irish writer * Ivor Cutler (1923–2006), Scottish poet, songwriter and humorist * Iva Davies, lead singer of

Icehouse Icehouse or ice house may refer to: * Ice house (building), a building where ice is stored * Ice shanty, a shelter for ice fishing also known as an ''Icehouse'' * Ice skating rink, a facility for ice skating. * Ice hockey arena, an area where ice ...

Ivor Davies (artist) Ivor Davies is a Welsh-speaking, Welsh artist born in Treharris, in November 1935. He currently lives and works in Penarth. As a boy Davies went to Penarth County School. He studied at Cardiff College of Art and Swansea College of Art betw ...

(born 1935), Welsh painter * Ivor Darreg (1917–1994), American composer * Ivor Dean (1917–1974), British actor * Ivor Dennis (1932-2018), Sri Lankan Sinhala playback vocalist * Ivor Emmanuel (1927–2007), British opera singer * Ivor Francis (1918–1986), Canadian-born American actor * Ivor Gurney (1890–1937), English composer and poet * Ivor Hele (1912–1993), Australian painter * Ivor James (1882–1963), British cellist *

Ivor Mairants Ivor Mairants (18 July 1908 – 20 February 1998) was a Polish jazz and classical guitarist, teacher and composer. With his wife Lily in 1958 he created the Ivor Mairants Musicentre, a specialist guitar store in London. Biography Ivor Mairan ...

(1908–1998), British-Polish guitarist * Ivor Moreton (1908–1984), British singer and pianist *

Ivor Novello Ivor Novello (born David Ivor Davies; 15 January 1893 – 6 March 1951) was a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. He was born into a musical ...

(1893–1951), Welsh entertainer * Ivor Roberts (actor) (1925–1999), British actor and television presenter * Ivor Wood (1932–2004), British stop-motion animator * Ivor Biggun, stage name of British musician Doc Cox

Nobility

* Lord Ivor Spencer-Churchill (1898–1956), British art collector

Politicians and diplomats

* Ivor Callely (born 1958), Irish politician * Ivor Caplin (born 1958), British politician * Ivor Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne (1873–1939), British politician *

Ivor Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne, 2nd Baronet, DL (29 August 1835 – 22 February 1914) was a British industrialist and a member of the prominent Guest family. Early life Ivor Bertie Guest was born at Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil, the so ...

(1835–1914), Welsh industrialist, father of the above * Ivor Richard, Baron Richard (1932-2018), British politician * Ivor Roberts (diplomat) (born 1946), British diplomat

Sportsmen

* Ivor Allchurch (1929–1997), Wales international footballer * Ivan Ivor Broadis (1922–2019), England international footballer * Ivor Bueb (1923–1959), British Formula One driver * Ivor Jones (1901–1982), Welsh rugby union player * Ivor McIvor (1917–1997), Australian rules footballer and captain-coach.

Fictional characters

* the title character of '' Ivor the Engine'', an animated British TV series * one of the characters in the Who song "

A Quick One, While He's Away "A Quick One, While He's Away" is a 1966 song in six movements written by Pete Townshend and recorded by the Who for their second album ''A Quick One''. The song also appears on the album '' BBC Sessions''. In the performance on their ''Live at ...

" * one of the title characters of '' Ivor Lott and Tony Broke'', a British comic strip * a main character in the video game '' Minecraft Story Mode'' * a character in the comedy duo act Damo and Ivor

References

{{given name Masculine given names