Updated February 15, 2024

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Find Baby Names

Girl name origins & meanings

  • English : Counselor

What does Avery mean and stand for?

While the name Avery was originally used as a male name, today it is more common for girls. Avery comes from the Old English words aelf (meaning elf) and ric (meaning king / power), which is why Avery means "ruler of the elves". Elves were consider beautiful and magical creatures.

Syllables: 3

Boy name origins & meanings

  • English : Counselor

Boy name variations

Averey

Averey

+ 17% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Averi

Averi

- 13% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Averie

Averie

- 6% this year
Neutral
Uncommon
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Avrey

Avrey

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Avry

Avry

+ 20% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Avary

Avary

+ 54% this year
Masculine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Avery

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : from the Anglo-Norman French personal name Auvery, a Norman form of Alfred. It could also be from a variant of the Anglo-Norman French personal name Aubri (see Aubrey). At least in the case of the original Puritan settlers in New England, there has been some confusion with Averill.
  • Christopher Avery emigrated from England to Salem, MA, in or before 1630. William Avery (alias Averill) was one of the Puritan settlers who emigrated from England to Ipswich, MA, in or about 1637.

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Avery Mean and Stand For? 

Avery is a gender-neutral name of English origin, meaning "ruler of elves." The name originated in the Middle Ages, and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Alfred and the Ancient Germanic name Alberich. It is a mix of the Old English words aelf (meaning elf) and ric (meaning king / power). 

The name Avery has a rich history as both an English surname and a boys' name. It has only recently become popular in the last couple of decades as a girls' name, but is still used today as a unisex name. It is said to have really shot up in popularity after Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn named their daughter Avery in 2005.

How Popular is the Name Avery? 

Avery is the #19 most popular girls' name in the U.S., according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. Avery has gradually risen in popularity since 2000, where it was at its lowest rank of 176 on the top 1000 baby names list. It rose to its peak popularity in 2013 to position 12, and has remained in the top 20 since 2011.

However, it is the 27th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Avery was at its peak popularity in October 2018.

Popularity of the Name Avery in the United States

Avery was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • Texas
  • Rhode Island
  • Louisiana
  • Oklahoma
  • North Carolina

Nicknames for Avery

  • Av
  • Ave
  • Avie
  • Aves
  • Ava
  • Avy
  • Ree
  • Rae

Pairs Well With These Middle Names

Avery meaning and origin