"life"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Ava
Pronunciation: [ AYV-uh ]
Does Ava flow with your last name?
Hollywood glamour distilled into three perfect letters
English
German
Irish
Modern
Minimalist
Elegant
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"birdlike, resembling a bird"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"like a bird, birdlike"
Origin: Germanic/Latin
Language: English
"life, living"
Origin: Hebrew (via Eva)
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Ava
Ava has multiple possible origins: from the Germanic 'Avila,' possibly derived from a root meaning 'bird' or related to water; from the Hebrew 'Chava' (Eve) meaning 'life'; or from the Latin 'avis' (bird). In medieval times, Ava of Wilhering was a notable German-speaking female writer. Actress Ava Gardner popularized it in the mid-20th century, and it was further boosted by actress Reese Witherspoon naming her daughter Ava in 1999.
Ava has been in the US top 5 since 2005 and reached #1 in 2013. Its short, crisp sound — just three letters — fits the trend toward simple, elegant names. Reese Witherspoon naming her daughter Ava in 1999 was widely credited with the surge in popularity.
Ava Gardner was one of Hollywood's greatest stars of the 1950s, and her exotic beauty gave the name a glamorous, sophisticated aura. The name also resonates in Irish culture, where it may be an anglicization of the Irish name Aoife (pronounced EE-fah), meaning radiant or beautiful.
Historical Record
Ava first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 329,464 babies have been named Ava in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ava is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #9 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ava has been in the US top 5 girl's names since 2005
- Reese Witherspoon naming her daughter Ava in 1999 is widely credited with the name's surge in popularity
- Ava Gardner, one of Hollywood's great golden-age stars, is the name's most iconic bearer
Ava in Other Languages
Irish
Aoife
French
Ava
German
Ava
Italian
Ava
Spanish
Ava
Popularity Over Time
#9
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ava
A
Ava Max
Musician
1994
Albanian-American pop singer known for Sweet but Psycho
A
Ava DuVernay
Other
1972
American filmmaker, director of Selma and 13th
A
Ava Gardner
Actor
1922
American actress and one of Hollywood's greatest glamour stars of the 1950s
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #9
- Total SSA Count
- 8,662
- Cultural Origins
- English German Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ava
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ava is also used as a boy name, ranked #31429.
View Ava as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Names that share meaning themes with Ava
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ava
What does the name Ava mean?
"life" (from Germanic). "birdlike, resembling a bird" (from Latin). "like a bird, birdlike" (from Germanic/Latin). "life, living" (from Hebrew (via Eva)). Ava has multiple possible origins: from the Germanic 'Avila,' possibly derived from a root meaning 'bird' or related to water; from the Hebrew 'Chava' (Eve) meaning 'life'; or from the Latin 'avis' (bird). In medieval times, Ava of Wilhering was a notable German-speaking female writer. Actress Ava Gardner popularized it in the mid-20th century, and it was further boosted by actress Reese Witherspoon naming her daughter Ava in 1999.
What is the origin of the name Ava?
Ava has Germanic, Latin, Germanic/Latin, Hebrew (via Eva), English, German, and Irish origins. In Germanic, it means "life". In Latin, it means "birdlike, resembling a bird". In Germanic/Latin, it means "like a bird, birdlike". In Hebrew (via Eva), it means "life, living".
Is Ava a boy or girl name?
Ava is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #9. As a boy name, it is ranked #31429. Ava is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ava?
Ava is pronounced AYV-uh.
How popular is the name Ava?
Ava is currently ranked #9 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ava?
Popular middle name pairings include Ava Rose, Ava Grace, Ava Marie, Ava Claire, Ava Elizabeth, Ava Mae, and Ava Louise.
What are good sibling names for Ava?
Names that pair well with Ava as siblings include Liam, Noah, Olivia, Sophia, Isabella, Mia, and Ethan.
How many syllables does Ava have?
Ava has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ava a common or rare name?
Ava is a very popular name, ranked #9 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Ava?
About the Name Ava
Ava is a girl name with English, German, and Irish origins . The name means "life" in Germanic .
Is Ava a boy or girl name? Ava is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #9 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,429. Ava is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ava is currently ranked #9 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ava has 2 syllables and is pronounced AYV-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Ava include Avani, Avayah, Avalynn, Avah, Avaya . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis