Ava is a name most commonly used for baby girls, but its original roots are unclear. The Ava name origin may be from the German word aval, meaning guarantee. The name is also thought to come from the Latin word avis, which means lively or bird-like.
The Hebrew name Havva means life or lively and this is thought to be the origin of the popular name Eva. Ava may be a version of Eva and Eve, therefore can be linked back to Hebrew, as well as German and Latin.
In Persia, Ava means voice or sound. Whatever heritage and meaning you want to associate this name with, there’s no denying that Ava is an adorable name for a baby girl.
- Ava Name Origin: Unknown (possibly German, Latin, or Hebrew)
- Ava Name Meaning: Guarantee, lively or bird-like
- Pronunciation: Ay – Vuh
- Gender: Female
How Popular is the Name Ava?
Since the start of the 20th century, Ava has remained in the top 1000 most popular girls’ names in the USA. The popularity of this name was in decline until the late 1940s, when it had a resurgence and started climbing up the charts.
Social Security Data shows that Ava reached its peak in 2020, ranking at number 4. In 2021, 12759 baby girls were born and given the cute name Ava.
Variations of the Name Ava
Ava is a sweet baby girls name, but maybe you would prefer one of these variations for your baby:
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Avis | Bird | Latin |
| Avah | Source of life | Hebrew |
| Eva | Life | Hebrew |
| Aiva | To live | English |
| Avina | From the oat field | Latin |
| Avalon | Island of apples | Celtic |
| Eve | Life | English |
Other Cute Girls Names With Unknown Origins
Do you love the name Ava because its origins are a little mysterious? If so, you may also like these baby girl names with unknown origins.
| Name | Meaning |
| Breynne | Hill |
| Bryleigh | Gracious |
| Kortniey | Caring and honest |
| Krin | Beautiful and loving |
| Elon Marie | Gentle |
| Dorise | Loving |
| Kaidance | Rhythm |
Alternative Girl Names Starting with ‘A’
Perhaps you really want to give your baby a name that starts with ‘A’, why not try one of these?
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Aria | Song or melody | Italian |
| Abigail | My father is joy | Hebrew |
| Anna | Grace | Hebrew |
| Ariana | Most holy | Portuguese |
| Adeline | Little blessed one | Latin |
| Autumn | The season of Autumn | Latin |
| Athena | Goddess of wisdom and warfare | Greek |
Famous People Named Ava
Ava may have only made it into the top ten most popular baby names in 2005, but there have been several famous people with this name over the years. Here is a list of the most popular Avas in history:
- Saint Ava – 10th century saint.
- Ava Gardener – American actress.
- Ava Allan – American actress.
- Ava Ohlgren – Professional American swimmer.
- Ava Leigh – British reggae singer.
- Ava Barber – American singer.