"life"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Ava
Pronunciation: [ AYV-uh ]
Girl Name
#9 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
Hollywood glamour distilled into three perfect letters
English
German
Irish
Modern
Minimalist
Elegant
Bold
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
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Ava Rose
Ava Grace
Ava Marie
Ava Claire
Ava Elizabeth
Ava Mae
Ava Louise
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ava fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Ava is also used as a boy name, ranked #31429.
View Ava as a boy name →Similar Names
Same Origin Names (English)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ava and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ava sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
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.
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.