Ivar is a Scandinavian name of Norse origin, meaning "bow" or "arch". It was popular among Vikings and has been used throughout Scandinavia since the Middle Ages. In Old Norse, it appears as Ivarr, while in Swedish, it's spelled Ivar. The name gained international recognition due to its usage by notable historical figures such as Ivar the Boneless, a Viking chieftain who led expeditions to England and Ireland during the 9th century. Today, Ivar remains a common given name in Scandinavian countries and is also used occasionally in other parts of Europe and North America.
The name Ivar experienced a significant surge in popularity starting from the year 2017, with a substantial increase in births occurring annually since then. However, prior to this, the name's usage was quite inconsistent and relatively uncommon over the course of more than a century, ranging from as few as 4 to as many as 17 births per year during that time period.