Avery

Pronunciation: [ AYV-er-ee ]

Boy Name #259 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

An elfish ruler — now more commonly a girl's name in the US

English American

Modern Gentle Playful Unique

Meaning & Origin

"ruler of the elves"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon/Norman

Language: English

"elf counsel, supernatural wisdom"

Origin: Old Germanic Alberich

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Now primarily used for girls in the US — boys named Avery may face confusion about gender

The Story of Avery

Avery is an English surname derived from the Norman French form of the Germanic name Alfred (via Alberich/Aubrey), meaning 'elf counsel' or 'ruler of supernatural beings.' It arrived in England with the Normans after 1066 and was used as a given name from medieval times. It transitioned from a primarily masculine name to a predominantly feminine one in the US during the 1990s-2000s.

Avery was a male name through most of its history, but crossed over to the female side dramatically in the US in the 1990s. For boys, it peaked in the early 2000s before the feminization made parents hesitant. Today, roughly 80% of new Averys in the US are girls.

The gender shift of Avery reflects a broader American trend of surname-derived names moving from male to female use (like Ashley, Lindsay, and Riley). For parents wanting to use Avery for a boy, there is historical precedent — but they should be aware of the modern perception.

Fun Facts

Avery shares roots with Aubrey and Alfred, all meaning 'elf counsel' in Old German
In 2005, Avery was used 60% for boys; by 2015, 80% of new Averys were girls in the US
The Avery family was prominent in early American history, with several notable figures in colonial New England

Avery in Other Languages

French Aubry

German Alberic

Norman Aubrey

Italian Alberico

Spanish Averio

Famous People Named Avery

Avery Brooks

Actor

1948

American actor known for playing Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Tex Avery

Artist

1908

Legendary American animator and director who created Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck at Warner Bros.

Avery Barkley Fictional

Musician

Fictional country music character in the TV series Nashville, played by Jonathan Jackson

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #259
Total SSA Count: 1,348
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Ave

Pairs Well With

Avery James Avery Lee Avery Michael Avery Thomas Avery Scott Avery John Avery Reed

Sibling Names

Riley Quinn Parker Morgan Logan Jordan Cameron

Also a Girl Name

Avery is also used as a girl name, ranked #31.

View Avery as a girl name →

Similar Names

Henry Harley Hardy Audrey Avery Mabry Carver Averi

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Avery

What does the name Avery mean?

"ruler of the elves" (from Anglo-Saxon/Norman). "elf counsel, supernatural wisdom" (from Old Germanic Alberich). Avery is an English surname derived from the Norman French form of the Germanic name Alfred (via Alberich/Aubrey), meaning 'elf counsel' or 'ruler of supernatural beings.' It arrived in England with the Normans after 1066 and was used as a given name from medieval times. It transitioned from a primarily masculine name to a predominantly feminine one in the US during the 1990s-2000s.

What is the origin of the name Avery?

Avery has Anglo-Saxon/Norman, Old Germanic Alberich, English, and American origins. In Anglo-Saxon/Norman, it means "ruler of the elves". In Old Germanic Alberich, it means "elf counsel, supernatural wisdom".

Is Avery a boy or girl name?

Avery is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #259. As a girl name, it is ranked #31. 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 #259 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Avery?

Common nicknames for Avery include Ave.

What are good middle names for Avery?

Popular middle name pairings include Avery James, Avery Lee, Avery Michael, Avery Thomas, Avery Scott, Avery John, and Avery Reed.

What are good sibling names for Avery?

Names that pair well with Avery as siblings include Riley, Quinn, Parker, Morgan, Logan, Jordan, and Cameron.

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 popular name, ranked #259 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Avery

Avery is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "ruler of the elves" in Anglo-Saxon/Norman .

Is Avery a boy or girl name? Avery is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #259 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #31. Avery is more commonly used as a girl name.

Avery is currently ranked #259 in popularity for boy 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. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.