Ivor is a Welsh name of unknown origin, but it is believed to mean "archer" or "seafarer". It has been used historically among the Welsh nobility and was popularized by its use in Welsh literature, notably by the 19th-century novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell, who used it as the name of one of her characters.
The name Ivor had a peak in popularity between 1918 and 1921 with a total of 21 births during this period. However, it appears to have declined afterwards, with only 5 births each year from 1923 onwards. Overall, there were 46 babies named Ivor between 1901 and 1929.