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girl name · Latin origin

Ava

/ AY-vuh /
Girl Latin 2 syllables
Meaning
Ava means Of debated origin; often “life” or “bird” (Latin).
Gender
Girl
Origin
Latin
Pronunciation
AY-vuh
Popularity
#11 · U.S. girls (2025)
Popularity of Ava in the US, 1880–2025
18801900192019401960198020002020

Ava first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 2007, when 18,053 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 7,732.

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Is Ava popular?

Declining Ava is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2007 peak.

US babies given the name Ava, by decade
2020s 63,350
2010s 155,879
2000s 104,539
1990s 4,207
1980s 1,416
1970s 1,319
1960s 2,342
1950s 4,237
1940s 1,346
1930s 1,180
1920s 1,590
1910s 1,401
1900s 533
1890s 479
1880s 279

Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.

What does Ava mean?

A short, much-loved name whose origin is debated — linked variously to “life” (via Eve), to a Germanic root, and to the Latin avis, “bird.”

Names like Ava

Latin names with a similar feel and popularity.

Names that pair well with Ava

Popular Latin names for a sibling or a middle name.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ava mean?

Ava means Of debated origin; often “life” or “bird”. A short, much-loved name whose origin is debated — linked variously to “life” (via Eve), to a Germanic root, and to the Latin avis, “bird.”

What is the origin of the name Ava?

Ava is of Latin origin.

How do you pronounce Ava?

Ava is pronounced “AY-vuh.”

Is Ava a boy or a girl name?

Ava is most commonly used as a girl name.

Is Ava a popular name right now?

Ava is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2007 peak.

How popular is the name Ava?

In 2025, Ava ranked #11 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.

When was the name Ava most popular?

Ava was most popular in 2007, when about 18,053 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.

What names are similar to Ava?

Names similar to Ava include Ada, Eva, Mia, Ivy.

What names go well with Ava?

Latin names that pair well with Ava include Mark, Emily, Olivia, Oliver, Patrick.