Ivey

Ivey can be a spelling of the botanical name Ivy, but it also exists as a surname with separate historical explanations. Some surname lines are connected with a personal name such as Ive, while others may involve a place name. Those routes should not be combined into a single meaning that applies to every bearer.

When chosen for the plant, Ivey keeps Ivy's familiar two-syllable sound while adding a letter to the written form. When inherited from a family surname, preserving that exact spelling may be the most important part of the choice. Parents can make either connection clear without claiming that all Ivey surnames originally referred to the climbing plant.