So I think I kind of like these two names (I’d only actually use one, though). What do you think? They sound very pretty to me.
I am aware that they basically mean ‘black’ and ‘white’ - do you think there is potential that either one (or both) of these names could cause racial offence? Does it depend what race I am? This only just occurred to me, and I’d be horrified to find I was accidentally offending someone just because I think the name sounds nice.
Not a fan.
I’m don’t like either. The only [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] I’ve ever known personally is white and in her fifties, but I believe it was quite a common name for African-Americans in the 80s and 90s so it probably does carry quite a lot racial connotations, though I could be completely wrong.
I like both! I think they sound beautiful though I like [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] most. They shouldn’t cause any offense since they both are just names and other people should be respectful enough to understand this.
I know white girls named [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] and black girls named [name_u]Ivory[/name_u]. Calling these names off limits because of possible “racial offense” is absurd.
In the back of my mind I thought there was a song or something called [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] and [name_u]Ivory[/name_u]. Well, doing a quick search…
I don’t recall ever hearing the song. There might be a different song I am thinking about.
I am personally not fond of either name. I also feel the two of them together sound like a clothing store/department store. Or a man’s club. Sorry.
I really like [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] and have known a few girls with this name. I think it sounded beautiful on them, but they also were African American so I’m not too sure how it would work on another race. [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] just sounds like a word to me so I’m not sure how it’d work as a name. That said, there are plenty of word names lately that I don’t love but others seem to really like. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps 
I love it!!!
I went to school with an [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] who was black. It’s a pretty name regardless of your race, but I do tend to think of it as a black name just because of the girl I knew. I had [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] on my girl’s list last time, but went with [name_f]Eva[/name_f] instead.
I’m failing to see how either can cause racial offense, considering they’re colour names and are no different from [name_f]Scarlet/name_f, [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], etc. ??
They’re okay, I would object more because they feel dated than anything.
Also, [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] with it’s link to cruel hunting of Elephants is not one I would personally consider.
I really like [name_f]Ebony[/name_f].
Not really a fan of either name but they’re just names for colors so there should be no problems.
I think they are both fine. I don’t think the race matters. Still i wouldn’t use them as a sibset, that seems a bit cheesy to me
I like [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] :), [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] is nice also tho. I don’t think names are off limits because of race.
I wouldn’t say they would cause offence, but I would be a bit confused to see [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] used on a white girl and vice versa, not enough to find it offensive though. I don’t care for either name, although I do know a handful of Ebonys who are black (no white Ebonys or Ivorys at all).
I don’t care for either name. [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] makes me think of elephants being killed for their tusks, and [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] makes me think of elbow macaroni. I don’t know where the macaroni association comes from.
As far as the race issue, I don’t think it would be a problem. Sure, some close-minded people might make assumptions or take offense, but you can’t please everyone, and those aren’t the kind of people whose opinions you should be concerned with, anyway.
I don’t think Ebony would be considered offensive (I certainly wouldn’t be), and I’m not even sure it would raise eyebrows, and I quite like it. However I wouldn’t go near Ivory because elephant hunting and using their tusks for ivory; it’s just not a good association to be stuck with and it’s a commonly known fact. So Ivory could be considered offensive or disrespectful for that reason. Ebony is great though. I just looked Ebony up and it’s actually quite popular in England/Wales (where I live), in the 200s!
I am African-American and I have seen Ebony used quite a bit in the past. I know of a few adults and no children with the name. I wouldn’t be offended or concerned for a non-black person wearing the name, in fact I know of one white woman with the name. I think I’d be a little taken aback though, mainly because it was a name used during the height of and for years after the “black power”/ “black identity” movements. It’s a name that celebrates blackness to me. That DOES NOT (heavy emphasis) mean that I would interpret it the same way on a non-black child/adult.
One last thing - I do think it’s quite dated and would be somewhat surprised to meet a baby Ebony, regardless of background.
As for Ivory, I know of one black girl with the name and frankly I would use it myself ( if it were higher ranked on my list).
In the end I see nothing wrong or offense about either choice, I do however think it’s important that you are aware (which you are doing right now).
Edit: I just wanted to add that I live in the US and I do think that has an impact on how I perceive the name Ebony. If you are outside the US, I’d throw out at least 80% of what I wrote! Hahaha 
I think both names are ok but not great. I agree Ebony sounds dated (it actually sounds a little young - it is the kind of name that is typically on your list in highschool & then comes off as your tastes mature -or maybe that was just me). I’m not nuts about the poaching/elephant tusk association for Ivory but I don’t think it’s offensive in a racial way or anything.
They are both kinda Snow White sounding don’tcha think?
Also I get that song stuck in my head all thd time.