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Iva

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Iva: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2024.

Originally a Slavic diminutive of Ivan (the equivalent of John, meaning "God is gracious"), Iva also has roots as a feminine form of Ivo, linked to the Germanic element *īwa* meaning "yew tree" or "yew bow". Perhaps the most famous bearer was Iva Toguri, the American broadcaster known as "Tokyo Rose" during World War II, later pardoned. The name is also shared by Iva Majoli, the Croatian tennis player who won the French Open in 1997. A notable place connection is the town of Iva in South Carolina, though its name is unrelated. In Scottish records, Iva remains a rare but quietly elegant choice, occasionally given to baby girls in modern times, often as a fresh alternative to Ava or Eva.