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
*
(1928–2014), British Africanist and historian
Arts and entertainment
*
Ivor Barnard (1887–1953), English actor
*
Ivor Casey
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 ...
(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 be ...
(born 1935), Welsh painter
*
Ivor Darreg
Ivor Darreg (May 5, 1917 – February 12, 1994) was an American composer and leading proponent of microtonal or "xenharmonic" music. He also created a series of experimental musical instruments.
Biography
Darreg, a contemporary of Harry Partch ...
(1917–1994), American composer
*
Ivor Dean (1917–1974), British actor
*
Ivor Dennis (1932-2018), Sri Lankan Sinhala playback vocalist
*
Ivor Emmanuel
Ivor Lewis Emmanuel (7 November 1927 – 20 July 2007) was a Welsh musical theatre and television singer and actor. He is probably best remembered, however, for his appearance as "Private Owen" in the 1964 film '' Zulu'', in which his chara ...
(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 s ...
(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
Ivor John Allchurch MBE (16 October 1929 – 10 July 1997) was a Welsh professional footballer who played for Swansea Town, Newcastle United and Cardiff City, as well as the Wales national football team.
Known as the "Golden Boy of Welsh foot ...
(1929–1997), Wales international footballer
* Ivan
Ivor Broadis (1922–2019), England international footballer
*
Ivor Bueb (1923–1959), British Formula One driver
*
Ivor Jones
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 ...
(1901–1982), Welsh rugby union player
*
Ivor McIvor
Ivor Thomas McIvor (16 September 1917 – 3 April 1997) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Сareer
McIvor, a key position player, came to Essendon from local side Don Rovers. ( ...
(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
Ivor Lott and Tony Broke was a British strip which originally appeared in the comic book ''Cor!!'' on 6 June 1970, before moving to '' Buster'' when the two comics merged in June 1974. The comic strip lasted until the final issue of ''Buster'' on 3 ...
'', a British comic strip
* a main character in the video game ''
Minecraft Story Mode''
* a character in the comedy duo act
Damo and Ivor
Damo and Ivor was a comedy duo act from Ireland, composed of two contrasting Dublin stereotypes, both portrayed by Andrew Quirke. The characters first appeared on bebo and YouTube - most notably in 'Skanger Me Banger(sic)'in late 2007/early 20 ...
References
{{given name
Masculine given names