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Ava Girl

Popularity: #9 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAY-vah / /ˈeɪ.və/

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.

Trend Summary

Ava has consistently ranked among the top names for girls in the United States over the past two decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ave
  • Aveline

International Variants

  • Ava (English)
  • Awa (Japanese)
  • Eva (Spanish)
  • Ava (Italian)

Famous people named Ava

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

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

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)

Top States for Ava (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 871
10%
TX 817
10%
FL 536
6%
NY 520
6%
GA 379
5%
NC 344
4%
PA 320
4%
OH 303
4%
IL 299
4%
NJ 268
3%
VA 248
3%
TN 232
3%
IN 191
2%
WA 177
2%
MA 177
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188013
188118
188221
188329
188432
188518
188627
188736
188841
188944
189049
189141
189254
189346
189458
189554
189638
189742
189853
189944
190065
190146
190240
190355
190450
190553
190662
190755
190858
190949
191079
191186
191298
1913112
1914156
1915171
1916186
1917180
1918174
1919159
1920184
1921177
1922160
1923173
1924157
1925164
1926164
1927141
1928135
1929135
1930142
1931136
1932145
1933119
1934129
1935109
1936113
1937114
193883
193990
194078
194189
1942132
1943109
194491
194580
1946131
1947199
1948197
1949240
1950299
1951384
1952388
1953462
1954540
1955508
1956509
1957432
1958378
1959337
1960327
1961262
1962263
1963274
1964268
1965227
1966199
1967176
1968177
1969171
1970177
1971161
1972153
1973109
1974130
1975127
197696
1977103
1978132
1979133
1980113
1981123
1982109
1983107
1984146
1985134
1986167
1987177
1988167
1989175
1990198
1991236
1992239
1993286
1994276
1995279
1996285
1997362
1998831
19991,215
20001,796
20012,539
20023,751
20036,280
20048,645
200513,606
200616,941
200718,053
200817,050
200915,877
201015,442
201115,514
201215,548
201315,271
201415,725
201516,410
201616,347
201716,015
201815,028
201914,544
202013,197
202112,867
202211,105
20239,724
20248,662