"ruler of elves"
Origin: Old English Aelfric via Norman French Aubery
Language: Old English
Avery
Pronunciation: [ AYV-er-ee ]
Does Avery flow with your last name?
A sharp, modern name with ancient elfin roots
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French
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Sophisticated
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"wise counselor"
Origin: Old French Aubery from Germanic
Language: Old French
"ruler of elves, elf counsel"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"elf power"
Origin: Norman French
Language: French
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Avery
Avery derives from the Norman French form of the Old English name Aelfric, composed of 'aelf' (elf) and 'ric' (ruler, power) — meaning 'ruler of the elves.' It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, where it flourished as a surname before transitioning to a given name. The shift from surname to first name gained momentum in the late 20th century, following the trend of using surnames as given names.
Avery transitioned from a predominantly male surname-name to one of the most popular gender-neutral and female names of the 2000s and 2010s. It entered the top 20 girls' names in the US around 2014, driven by its sleek, modern sound and professional feel.
Avery is part of the broader trend of surname-derived names that gained popularity in the late 20th century alongside Tyler, Taylor, and Logan. It represents the modern preference for names that feel professional and gender-flexible while remaining attractive.
Historical Record
Avery first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 164,204 babies have been named Avery in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Avery is past its peak , currently ranked #31 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Avery was exclusively a male name until the 1990s, when it rapidly shifted to female usage in the US
- The name rose from outside the top 200 to the top 20 girls' names in just 15 years
Avery in Other Languages
French
Avery
German
Avery
English
Avery
Spanish
Avery
Japanese
Eiburi
Popularity Over Time
#31
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2013
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Avery
A
Avery Pohl
Actor
1999
American actress known for her roles in film and television
A
Avery Bradley
Athlete
1990
American NBA basketball player known for his elite defensive skills
A
Avery Johnson
Athlete
1965
Former NBA player and coach, nicknamed The Little General
A
Avery Brooks
Actor
1948
American actor known for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
A
Avery Jessup Fictional
Other
Character from the TV series 30 Rock, played by Elizabeth Banks
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Compare Avery with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #31
- Total SSA Count
- 5,632
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ave
Avie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Avery
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Avery is also used as a boy name, ranked #259.
View Avery as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Avery →Compare Avery with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Avery
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Old French origin
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Old English surname origin
"royal clearing"
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Zoe
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Greek origin
"eternal life (early Christian use)"
#29 in US
Chloe
Girl
Greek origin
"young green shoot"
#20 in US
Abigail
Girl
Hebrew Avi meaning father and Gil meaning joy origin
"my father is joyful"
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American invented origin
"heaven (spelled backwards)"
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Old Germanic (Genovefa) origin
"race of women"
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Old English origin
"oak tree clearing"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Avery
What does the name Avery mean?
"ruler of elves" (from Old English Aelfric via Norman French Aubery). "wise counselor" (from Old French Aubery from Germanic). "ruler of elves, elf counsel" (from Old English). "elf power" (from Norman French). Avery derives from the Norman French form of the Old English name Aelfric, composed of 'aelf' (elf) and 'ric' (ruler, power) — meaning 'ruler of the elves.' It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, where it flourished as a surname before transitioning to a given name. The shift from surname to first name gained momentum in the late 20th century, following the trend of using surnames as given names.
What is the origin of the name Avery?
Avery has Old English Aelfric via Norman French Aubery, Old French Aubery from Germanic, Old English, Norman French, English, American, and French origins. In Old English Aelfric via Norman French Aubery, it means "ruler of elves". In Old French Aubery from Germanic, it means "wise counselor". In Old English, it means "ruler of elves, elf counsel". In Norman French, it means "elf power".
Is Avery a boy or girl name?
Avery is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #31. As a boy name, it is ranked #259. Avery is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Avery?
Avery is pronounced AYV-er-ee.
How popular is the name Avery?
Avery is currently ranked #31 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Avery?
Common nicknames for Avery include Ave and Avie.
What are good middle names for Avery?
Popular middle name pairings include Avery Grace, Avery Rose, Avery Mae, Avery Jane, Avery Kate, and Avery Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Avery?
Names that pair well with Avery as siblings include Parker, Blake, Logan, Riley, Harper, and Mason.
How many syllables does Avery have?
Avery has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Avery a common or rare name?
Avery is a very popular name, ranked #31 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Avery?
About the Name Avery
Avery is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "ruler of elves" in Old English Aelfric via Norman French Aubery .
Is Avery a boy or girl name? Avery is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #31 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #259. Avery is more commonly used as a girl name.
Avery is currently ranked #31 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Avery has 3 syllables and is pronounced AYV-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Avery include Ave and Avie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Avery include Averie, Averi, Averly, Averee . 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