Ebony Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EB-uh-nee //ˈɛbəni//
Origin: English; African
Meaning: English: dark wood; African: rich and beautiful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ebony derives from the Greek word "ebenos," which refers to the dark, dense wood of the ebony tree, known for its rich black color and fine grain. This term made its way into Latin as "ebenus" and later into Old French as "ebene," before entering the English language in the late Middle Ages.
The association with the ebony tree, which has been valued since antiquity for its beauty and durability, lends the name a connotation of elegance and strength. Historically, ebony wood has been used in various cultures for crafting furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items, particularly in ancient Egypt and throughout the African continent.
The name's introduction into English coincided with a growing appreciation for exotic materials during the Renaissance, a period marked by increased trade and cultural exchange. Notably, the use of ebony in art and architecture during this time further solidified its status as a symbol of luxury and refinement.
Culturally, the name Ebony has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing beauty, mystery, and depth. It has appeared in literature and music, reflecting themes of identity and heritage.
The name's resonance is also enhanced by its association with the rich, dark color of the wood, which has been metaphorically linked to qualities such as resilience and sophistication. While diminutive forms of the name are less common, the name itself has maintained a strong presence in various cultural narratives, contributing to its lasting significance.
Famous people named Ebony
In this section, you will find notable people named Ebony. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ebony who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ebony who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Ebony Bones is a musician and actress best known for her album Bone of My Bones, and her role in the film The Last Black Man in San Francisco.
Ebony K. Williams is a television personality and attorney best known for her work on Fox News and as a co-host on The Fox News Specialists.
Fictional characters named Ebony
The following list of fictional characters named Ebony is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way is a fictional character from the fanfiction My Immortal. She is the main character and a vampire goth who navigates her life in a dark and fantastical version of Hogwarts.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ebony, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ebony. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ebony was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Ebony has ranked as high as #256 nationally, which occurred in 1982, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Ebony has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ebony is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ebony was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ebony.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2024 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2023 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 2022 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| 2021 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 2020 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2019 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2018 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2017 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 2016 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 2015 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 2014 | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| 2013 | 105 | 0 | 105 |
| 2012 | 94 | 0 | 94 |
| 2011 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 2010 | 119 | 0 | 119 |
| 2009 | 171 | 0 | 171 |
| 2008 | 187 | 5 | 182 |
| 2007 | 208 | 0 | 208 |
| 2006 | 227 | 0 | 227 |
| 2005 | 257 | 0 | 257 |
| 2004 | 312 | 5 | 307 |
| 2003 | 333 | 0 | 333 |
| 2002 | 372 | 0 | 372 |
| 2001 | 380 | 0 | 380 |
| 2000 | 480 | 6 | 474 |
| 1999 | 535 | 5 | 530 |
| 1998 | 619 | 5 | 614 |
| 1997 | 722 | 0 | 722 |
| 1996 | 807 | 6 | 801 |
| 1995 | 914 | 7 | 907 |
| 1994 | 994 | 0 | 994 |
| 1993 | 1,164 | 0 | 1,164 |
| 1992 | 1,358 | 9 | 1,349 |
| 1991 | 1,534 | 8 | 1,526 |
| 1990 | 1,588 | 21 | 1,567 |
| 1989 | 1,610 | 33 | 1,577 |
| 1988 | 1,739 | 13 | 1,726 |
| 1987 | 1,761 | 13 | 1,748 |
| 1986 | 1,675 | 13 | 1,662 |
| 1985 | 1,804 | 17 | 1,787 |
| 1984 | 2,151 | 21 | 2,130 |
| 1983 | 2,238 | 19 | 2,219 |
| 1982 | 2,315 | 36 | 2,279 |
| 1981 | 1,569 | 15 | 1,554 |
| 1980 | 1,602 | 21 | 1,581 |
| 1979 | 1,463 | 20 | 1,443 |
| 1978 | 1,338 | 18 | 1,320 |
| 1977 | 1,180 | 23 | 1,157 |
| 1976 | 918 | 22 | 896 |
| 1975 | 645 | 29 | 616 |
| 1974 | 520 | 21 | 499 |
| 1973 | 314 | 15 | 299 |
| 1972 | 253 | 17 | 236 |
| 1971 | 179 | 12 | 167 |
| 1970 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 1969 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 1968 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1966 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1950 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Ebony (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 |