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Ava

/AY-və/

Ava is a girl name of Germanic origin, meaning Uncertain; possibly "bird" or a Germanic short form.

  • GenderGirl
  • OriginGermanic
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#3

What does Ava mean?

Uncertain; possibly "bird" or a Germanic short form

Ava has more than one plausible source and no settled answer. It may be a short form of Germanic names beginning with av-, it may derive from the Latin avis, "bird", and it is sometimes connected to the Hebrew Chava (Eve), meaning "life". The medieval German saint Ava of Hildesheim is the earliest well-documented bearer.

The story behind the name

Ava was rare in English until the twentieth century, when the actor Ava Gardner made it glamorous. Even then it remained uncommon for decades.

Its explosion is recent and dramatic. From near-invisibility in the 1980s, Ava climbed into the American top ten by 2005 and has stayed there - a textbook case of the short, vowel-rich, easily-said names that came to dominate girls' naming in the twenty-first century.

Notable people named Ava

  • Ava Gardner, actor
  • Ava DuVernay, film director
  • Saint Ava of Hildesheim

How popular is Ava?

Popularity in the United States

Ava has been given to 293,852 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 126 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

09,03218,064188019502020
Babies named Ava per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Ava has been given to 8,230 babies in France since 1955, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

05771,153195519882022
Babies named Ava per year in France, 1955–2022. Source: INSEE
293,852 Babies named since 1880
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Avah, Ava-Rose

Related names: Eva, Ada, Ivy, Eve, Avery

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Frequently asked questions about Ava

What does the name Ava mean?

Ava means Uncertain; possibly "bird" or a Germanic short form. It is of Germanic origin.

Is Ava a boy's or a girl's name?

Ava is most often given to girls.

How do you pronounce Ava?

Ava is pronounced AY-və.

How popular is the name Ava?

Ava has been given to 293,852 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Ava?

Common variants include Avah, Ava-Rose.