Ava
Meanings & Origins
"life"
"birdlike, resembling a bird"
"like a bird, birdlike"
"life, living"
Popularity
Mockery Risk Analysis Premium
Surname Harmony Premium
Enter your surname above to see harmony analysis
“Hollywood glamour distilled into three perfect letters”
Origin & Etymology
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.
Popularity Story
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.
Cultural Significance
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.
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