← All names

Ivar

Boy name · 71 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ivar: 71 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 13 births in 2023.

Of Old Norse origin, Ivar comes from *Ívarr*, a compound of *ýr* (yew tree — a symbol of strength and resilience) and *arr* (warrior), giving it the meaning “yew-bow warrior” or simply “archer.” The name is most famously borne by Ivar the Boneless, the fearsome 9th-century Viking chieftain and son of Ragnar Lothbrok, who led the Great Heathen Army in its invasion of England. In modern times, it has been carried by the Swedish-born Ivar Kreuger, the “Match King” of early 20th-century finance. The Scottish village of Iver may share the same root, though it is also linked to Gaelic *Iubhair*, meaning a place of yew trees. A close variant is the Gaelic *Ìomhar*, which shares the same Norse origin and has long been used in the Highlands and islands.