Yvonne

Yvonne is a French feminine form derived from the Germanic element iv, meaning yew, the wood traditionally used to make bows, making it a cognate of the masculine name Yves. The name spread widely across Europe during the medieval period and became especially popular in French-speaking regions, where it was borne by several saints. It gained broader international use in the twentieth century, appearing throughout English, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian naming traditions. Closely related forms include Yvette, Ivonne, and the masculine Ivo and Ivan in their separate lines of development.