The girl's name Ava \a-va\, also used as boy's name Ava, is pronounced AY-vah. Of uncertain origin, probably German. Other possible sources are the Hebrew name Chava meaning "life" or "serpent", or from Latin "avis" meaning "bird". Also possibly a variant of Avis or Aveline, medieval given names. Saint Ava or Avia was a ninth-century abbess of Dinart in Hainault and a member of the Frankish royal family. In contemporary usage, some forms may be intended as phonetic variants of Eva and Evelyn. Made popular since the 1950s due to film actress Ava Gardner.

Ava has 7 variant forms: Avah, Avalee, Avelina, Aveline, Avelyn, Avis and Avlynn.

ORIGIN
Latin

MEANING
Like a bird

Of uncertain origin, its possibly a variation of the medieval names Avis or Aveline, a phonetic variation of Eva and Evelyn, or a form of the Hebrew Chava. Actress Ava Gardner whose film career started in 1941 largely influenced the name. Numerous celebrities have chosen this name for their daughters, including Reese Witherspoon, Heather Locklear, Kevin Dillon, Jason Priestley, and Mia Hamm.

VARIATIONS
Avery Avner

ALTERNATIVES
Avah

More Baby Name Advice, Tips And Ideas:

Click below for lists of popular baby names from other years.

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1980 - 1989 | 1970 - 1979 | 1960 - 1969 | 1950 - 1959 | 1940 - 1949 | 1930 - 1939 | 1920 - 1929 | 1910 - 1919 | 1900 - 1909 |