Ava

The female first name Ava appears in different linguistic areas, thus having various origins and meanings that remain unresolved to this day. It likely means 'the desired one', derived from the Old Germanic word elements av, avi.

What does the name Ava mean?

The female first name Ava appears in different linguistic areas, thus having various origins and meanings that remain unresolved to this day. It likely means 'the desired one', derived from the Old Germanic word elements av, avi, or awi for 'desired', 'coveted', and 'wanted'. It may also be derived from the Old Saxon aval for 'the power' and 'the strength'. In this case, the meaning would be 'the powerful one' and 'the strong one'. In the French-speaking world, Ava is derived from the Latin word avis for 'the bird', which can be translated as 'the little bird'. It could also mean '(wild) water', derived from the East Frisian word ava or awa for 'the water' and 'the stream'. The same interpretation would arise from the Persian term âb (آب). There is also a connection to the Proto-Germanic awja for 'the hail'. Additionally, a possible origin is the Arabic/Persian âvâz (آواز), which stands for 'the voice', 'the tone', 'the sound', and 'the melody'. This leads to meanings such as 'the song', 'the noise', 'the voice', or 'the pleasant sound'. In the English-speaking world, the name is often seen as a variant of Eva. Other interpretations include: a West Frankish-Romance short form meaning 'wife, spouse'; derived from the Latin avia for 'the grandmother' or 'the ancestor'; a modified form of the Irish Eibhlin. In Guaraní, a language of South American indigenous people, Ava means 'man'. Another form of the Latin greeting 'Ave'. In Venetian, the name can be translated as 'the bee'. In Greenland, the male name Ava is referred to as 'the little coastal spirit'. A detailed possible derivation of the name Ava: In Avestan, Ava refers to Dva 'two', and the connection Ava urvaityâ means 'friendship, love'. Many old or outdated name lexicons attempt to derive a German meaning, including the words oval = 'circular', aval = 'strong', awa = 'water'. However, Ava is NOT a German name, and although it resembles some Latin terms, it has been proven that the name developed from Aveline. Aveline was originally spread by the Normans in the English-speaking areas of Europe (primarily England, Ireland). Over the centuries, the short form Ava developed from Aveline, meaning 'long-awaited child'. The form 'Evelyn' is, however, a male name from a Scottish clan. As many Irish emigrated to America, Ava is now particularly widespread in the USA and Canada, ranking in the top 10 baby names. In Ireland, Ava is also interpreted as an alternative spelling of Aoife, which is Irish for Eva. These two theories make sense and are understandable due to the migrations of peoples. Ava is also particularly popular in the French-speaking parts of Canada, likely because it originates from the Norman language, thus having both (very early -> see Aveline) French (Normandy) and Irish roots (as the Normans came to Ireland and Aveline developed into Ava). Other variants include Avah, Awa, Aviana, and Avianna as well as Avelina (Spanish), Avelien, Avelin, Avelyn, Avelynn, Avalyn, Avalynn, and Avlynn. In France, she is venerated as a saint from the 4th century. According to legend, she was a virgin from Denain in Artois, northern France. As a young and wealthy but blind person, she wished to be healed. When this was granted to her by God during a pilgrimage to the grave of Saint Remfroid, she bequeathed all her possessions to the church and entered a convent.

Where does the name Ava come from?

The etymology of Ava is a female first name of Old Germanic and Old Saxon origin with meanings such as 'the strong one' or 'the little bird' and others. Old Germanic Old Persian Old Saxon Latin East Frisian

How do you pronounce Ava?

Sound & pronunciation of Ava: The name Ava is two syllables and open in structure. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'A-va' [ˈaːva], beginning with a long, open 'a' that conveys expansiveness. The simple vowel sequence gives the name clarity. Ava appears modern and minimalist - feminine, calm, and present.

When is the name day of Ava?

The name day of Ava is February 7, April 29, and June 6.

Popularity

Ava is a very popular first name in Germany. Currently, it ranks 85th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 2020 at 68th. In the last ten years, Ava has been given as a first name about 9,500 times, placing it 78th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 86th.

Nicknames & pet names

Aiwi / Av / Avachen / Avali / Avatar / Avchick / Avel / Avelita / Avellu / Avi / Avilein / Aviline / Avina / Avinsky / Avita / Avva / Avy / Awi / Awo / Evi / Evva / Äivi / Ävchen

Similar first names

Famous people

• Alles Ava (TikToker)
• Audur Ava Olafsdottir (art historian from Iceland)
• Auur Ava Olafsdottir (Icelandic writer)
• Ava Acres (American actress)
• Ava Allen (American actress, model)
• Ava Barber (singer from the USA)
• Ava Cadell (actress from Hungary)
• Ava Celik (German actress)
• Ava Deluca-Verley (American actress)
• Ava DuVernay (American film director)
• Ava Fabian (actress from America)
• Ava Gardner (American actress)
• Ava Gaudet (actress from America)
• Ava Jackman (daughter of actor Hugh Jackman)
• Ava June (British opera singer)
• Ava Kolker (American actress)
• Ava Lazar (actress from the USA)
• Ava Leavell Haymon (American writer)
• Ava Leigh (American singer)
• Ava Lowery (film director from the USA)