"voice, sound"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
Ava
Pronunciation: [ AYV-uh ]
Does Ava flow with your last name?
A beautiful name meaning voice or life with Persian roots
American
English
Iranian
Gentle
Classic
Elegant
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Ava
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"life, living"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"bird"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated as a girl's name — male use is extremely unusual and may cause confusion
The Story of Ava
Ava has multiple possible origins. From Hebrew, it may derive from 'Chava' (Eve), meaning 'life' or 'living'. From Latin, it comes from 'avis' meaning 'bird'. In Persian and Azerbaijani, 'ava' means 'voice' or 'sound'. The name has been borne by Saint Ava of Dinart (9th century) and gained wide modern use through actress Ava Gardner. As a boy's name, its use is extremely rare and non-traditional.
Ava has been among the top 5 girl's names in the United States for over a decade, making it essentially entirely female-associated in contemporary American culture. Its use for a boy is nearly unheard of, potentially representing a very deliberate gender-neutral choice by parents.
In Persian and Azerbaijani culture, Ava is used for both boys and girls, meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. This makes Ava-for-boys a meaningful choice for families with Persian heritage. The name Ava is associated with beauty, life, and creative expression across multiple cultures.
Historical Record
Ava first appeared in US Social Security records in 2001.
Over 325 babies have been named Ava in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ava is past its peak , currently ranked #31,429 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ava has been a top-5 girl's name in the US since 2005
- In Persian, Ava means 'voice' and is used for children of any gender
- Ava Gardner (1922-1990) was one of Hollywood's greatest stars, helping popularize this name
Ava in Other Languages
Latin
Ava
French
Ava
Hebrew
אבא
Persian
آوا (Āvā)
Spanish
Ava
Popularity Over Time
#31,429
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Ava with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #31,429
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- American English Iranian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American 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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ava
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ava is also used as a girl name, ranked #9.
View Ava as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Spanish origin
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Latin poetic origin
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Old English origin
"son of the deacon"
#31,289 in US
Amile
Boy
Latin aemulus origin
"rival, emulating"
#31,523 in US
Dina
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Hebrew origin
"judged, vindicated"
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English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ava
What does the name Ava mean?
"voice, sound" (from Persian). "life, living" (from Hebrew). "bird" (from Latin). Ava has multiple possible origins. From Hebrew, it may derive from 'Chava' (Eve), meaning 'life' or 'living'. From Latin, it comes from 'avis' meaning 'bird'. In Persian and Azerbaijani, 'ava' means 'voice' or 'sound'. The name has been borne by Saint Ava of Dinart (9th century) and gained wide modern use through actress Ava Gardner. As a boy's name, its use is extremely rare and non-traditional.
What is the origin of the name Ava?
Ava has Persian, Hebrew, Latin, American, English, and Iranian origins. In Persian, it means "voice, sound". In Hebrew, it means "life, living". In Latin, it means "bird".
Is Ava a boy or girl name?
Ava is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #31429. As a girl name, it is ranked #9. 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 #31429 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ava?
Popular middle name pairings include Ava James, Ava Lee, Ava Michael, Ava Thomas, Ava Gray, and Ava Scott.
What are good sibling names for Ava?
Names that pair well with Ava as siblings include Aurora, Luna, Ivy, Mia, Emma, and Isla.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #31429 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Ava?
Are there other spellings for Ava?
Related spellings include Avan.
About the Name Ava
Ava is a boy name with American, English, and Iranian origins . The name means "voice, sound" in Persian .
Is Ava a boy or girl name? Ava is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #31,429 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9. Ava is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ava is currently ranked #31,429 in popularity for boy 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 Avan . 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