Ivona is of Slavic origin, specifically from the region encompassing countries like Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. It is derived from the Latin 'Evonius', which means "youthful" or "life." This name gained prominence during the Middle Ages in European literature and folklore, appearing notably in works such as the Croatian epic poem "Rise of the Niche," where Ivona is a prominent character. In recent times, Ivona has been increasingly embraced globally, with parents appreciating its unique sound and cultural heritage. It is often misspelled or mispronounced, with common variants including Ivonka, Jovana, or even Yvonna. However, the traditional spelling is Ivona, pronounced "EE-vo-na," with the emphasis on the first syllable.
"Ivona saw a surge in popularity with 7 births in 1995, but has remained consistent with roughly 5-6 births per year since then, except for a dip to 5 in 2013. Overall, there have been 46 Ivonas born over these years."