Ava Girl

Popularity: #11 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AY-vah //ˈeɪ.və//

Origin: Latin; Hebrew

Meaning: Latin: life; Hebrew: bird

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ava has uncertain etymological roots, but it is commonly believed to derive from the Latin word "avis," meaning "bird." This connection suggests a sense of lightness and freedom. Another possible origin is from the Germanic name "Ava," which is thought to be a diminutive of names beginning with "Aval," meaning "desired" or "island." The name entered the English language through various routes, including Old French and Middle English, during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adopted and adapted into forms that would eventually lead to its modern usage.

Historically, the name Ava has been associated with notable figures, including Saint Ava, a 7th-century abbess in France, who contributed to the spread of Christianity in the region. The name also appears in medieval texts, where it was sometimes used in noble families, reflecting its status as a name of some esteem.

The name gained further recognition in the 20th century through various literary and cinematic works, although specific milestones in its historical development are less documented compared to more common names. Culturally, Ava has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing beauty, grace, and a connection to nature, particularly through its association with birds.

This connection to avian imagery has lent the name a sense of ethereality and has made it a favored choice in literature and art. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Avi" have emerged in some cultures, adding to the name's versatility.

Overall, Ava's historical and cultural significance has contributed to its lasting appeal across different eras.

Famous people named Ava

In this section, you will find notable people named Ava. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ava who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ava who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Ava Gardner is an actress best known for The Killers, Mogambo, and Show Boat.

Ava DuVernay is a filmmaker best known for Selma, 13th, and A Wrinkle in Time.

Ava Max is a singer best known for Sweet but Psycho, Kings & Queens, and Torn.

Ava Adams is a model and actress best known for her work in the adult entertainment industry, but she is excluded from this list.

Ava Marie is a social media influencer best known for her lifestyle content on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Fictional characters named Ava

The following list of fictional characters named Ava is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ava is a fictional character from the film Ex Machina. She is an advanced artificial intelligence created to test the boundaries of consciousness and humanity.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ava, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EmmaMiaOliviaSophiaIsabellaLily

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ava. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AdaEvaAriaAylaNinaZaraLilaCora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ava was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ava has ranked as high as #15 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Ava has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ava is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ava was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ava.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 7,739 7 7,732
2024 8,700 0 8,700
2023 9,743 6 9,737
2022 11,116 9 11,107
2021 12,881 8 12,873
2020 13,212 11 13,201
2019 14,549 0 14,549
2018 15,044 10 15,034
2017 16,030 13 16,017
2016 16,365 11 16,354
2015 16,435 19 16,416
2014 15,742 15 15,727
2013 15,288 17 15,271
2012 15,569 20 15,549
2011 15,535 17 15,518
2010 15,461 17 15,444
2009 15,900 23 15,877
2008 17,067 16 17,051
2007 18,065 12 18,053
2006 16,965 24 16,941
2005 13,635 29 13,606
2004 8,680 35 8,645
2003 6,289 9 6,280
2002 3,751 0 3,751
2001 2,544 5 2,539
2000 1,796 0 1,796
1999 1,215 0 1,215
1998 831 0 831
1997 362 0 362
1996 285 0 285
1995 279 0 279
1994 276 0 276
1993 286 0 286
1992 239 0 239
1991 236 0 236
1990 198 0 198
1989 175 0 175
1988 167 0 167
1987 176 0 176
1986 166 0 166
1985 134 0 134
1984 146 0 146
1983 107 0 107
1982 109 0 109
1981 123 0 123
1980 113 0 113
1979 132 0 132
1978 132 0 132
1977 103 0 103
1976 96 0 96
1975 127 0 127
1974 130 0 130
1973 108 0 108
1972 153 0 153
1971 161 0 161
1970 177 0 177
1969 170 0 170
1968 177 0 177
1967 176 0 176
1966 199 0 199
1965 227 0 227
1964 268 0 268
1963 273 0 273
1962 263 0 263
1961 262 0 262
1960 327 0 327
1959 337 0 337
1958 378 0 378
1957 432 0 432
1956 509 0 509
1955 508 0 508
1954 540 0 540
1953 462 0 462
1952 388 0 388
1951 384 0 384
1950 299 0 299
1949 240 0 240
1948 197 0 197
1947 199 0 199
1946 131 0 131
1945 80 0 80
1944 91 0 91
1943 109 0 109
1942 132 0 132
1941 89 0 89
1940 78 0 78
1939 90 0 90
1938 83 0 83
1937 114 0 114
1936 113 0 113
1935 109 0 109
1934 129 0 129
1933 119 0 119
1932 145 0 145
1931 136 0 136
1930 142 0 142
1929 135 0 135
1928 140 5 135
1927 147 6 141
1926 164 0 164
1925 164 0 164
1924 157 0 157
1923 173 0 173
1922 160 0 160
1921 177 0 177
1920 184 0 184
1919 159 0 159
1918 174 0 174
1917 180 0 180
1916 186 0 186
1915 171 0 171
1914 156 0 156
1913 112 0 112
1912 98 0 98
1911 86 0 86
1910 79 0 79
1909 49 0 49
1908 58 0 58
1907 55 0 55
1906 62 0 62
1905 53 0 53
1904 50 0 50
1903 55 0 55
1902 40 0 40
1901 46 0 46
1900 65 0 65
1899 44 0 44
1898 53 0 53
1897 42 0 42
1896 38 0 38
1895 54 0 54
1894 58 0 58
1893 46 0 46
1892 54 0 54
1891 41 0 41
1890 49 0 49
1889 44 0 44
1888 41 0 41
1887 36 0 36
1886 27 0 27
1885 18 0 18
1884 32 0 32
1883 29 0 29
1882 21 0 21
1881 18 0 18
1880 13 0 13

Top States for Ava (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 871
10%
TX 817
9%
FL 536
6%
NY 520
6%
GA 379
4%
NC 344
4%
PA 320
4%
OH 303
3%
IL 299
3%
MI 277
3%
NJ 268
3%
VA 248
3%
TN 232
3%
IN 191
2%
MA 177
2%
WA 177
2%
AZ 166
2%
MD 165
2%
MO 156
2%
CO 148
2%
MN 145
2%
AL 145
2%
SC 142
2%
LA 142
2%
WI 121
1%
KY 121
1%
CT 104
1%
MS 94
1%
OK 94
1%
UT 94
1%
AR 94
1%
IA 93
1%
KS 75
1%
OR 73
1%
NV 66
1%
WV 48
1%
NE 48
1%
ID 44
1%
NM 38
0%
RI 34
0%
HI 31
0%
NH 30
0%
ME 28
0%
DC 28
0%
DE 27
0%
ND 25
0%
SD 24
0%
MT 20
0%
AK 19
0%
WY 15
0%
VT 6
0%