The baby name Ione saw strong usage in the U.S. during the early 20th century. The spelling variant Iyone, on the other hand, was a mere one-hit wonder in the U.S. baby name data during that time period:
- 1929: unlisted
- 1928: unlisted
- 1927: 7 baby girls named Iyone
- 1926: unlisted
- 1925: unlisted
What gave this particular version of the name a boost during the 1920s?
A song called “Iyone My Own Iyone.” It was copyrighted in mid-1926, and later the same year was recorded and released by various acts/bandleaders (including the Brox Sisters, Arthur Lange, and Ted Lewis).
Though “Ione” is typically pronounced eye-oh-nee — with a “long E” sound at the end, just like many of the other personal names (e.g., Chloe, Zoe, Phoebe) that come from ancient Greek — in the song, the name “Iyone” is pronounced eye-own, to rhyme with “I own.”
What are your thoughts on the name Iyone?
Sources: Addy Britt (lyricist) – Discography of American Historical Recordings, SSA
P.S. Ione returned to the U.S. data in 1989 after a brief absence thanks to the iconic ’80s movie Say Anything, which co-starred actress Ione Skye (who happens to be the daughter of Donovan, who had an influence on the baby names Lalena, Juniper, and possibly Jennifer in the late ’60s).