Avery Name Meaning: Namesakes, Similar Names & History

Avery Name Meaning

Avery is a very popular unisex name in the United States. A great choice for any newborn, Avery has a rich, mythical history with French, English, and German origins.

What Does Avery Mean?

Avery is a French and English name that means “ruler of elves.” The name has also been interpreted to mean “wise,” “ruling with elf-wisdom,” “elf counsel,” “elf king,” and “counselor.”

The meaning of the name Avery originates from the Old English words “aelf” and “ric,” meaning “elf” and “mighty ruler,” respectively.

What Is the Origin of the Name Avery?

Avery’s origins lie in England, France, and Germany. Avery derives from the Ancient Germanic first name Alberich, the Old French name Alfred, and the French last name Evreux. Alberich derives back to the Old French name Oberon, the mythological King of the Fairies depicted in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night.

The first usage of Avery dates after the 11th century Normandy Invasion of England, where it was used as a last name. The last name Avery may have originated from Evreux, a notable county in Normandy. Other last name variations also surfaced around that time, such as Abreu in Portugal.

By the 16th century, Avery finally began to be used as a first name in European countries. For centuries, Avery was near-exclusively a masculine name and was not very popular. The unisex and popular usage of Avery is fairly recent history.

How Popular is the Name Avery?

The name Avery is a very popular name and has been on the rise since the 1990s. Avery was ranked the 976th most used baby name in the US in 1989, 206th in 1999, 32nd in 2009, and 18th in 2019.

In the United States, the name Avery is much more popular for girls than boys. In 2020, Avery ranked the 19th most popular girls name and the 211th most popular boys name ⁽¹⁾. Avery is still a popular name among boys, but it is very popular among girls.

In the UK, the name Avery is pretty popular. Avery is sightly more common as a girl’s name in Europe, though not nearly as popular as it is in the United States.

How Do I Pronounce Avery?

There are two acceptable ways to pronounce Avery: “AY-ver-ee” or “AYV-ree.” The name sounds similar to the word “savory.”

Is Avery a Boy or Girl Name?

Avery is a unisex name, being used for boys and girls alike. The modern unisex usage of Avery originated in the United States and Canada and has since become very popular ⁽²⁾.

In Europe, the name Avery has been predominantly used for boys. However, it’s become an increasingly popular girl name in recent times. Regardless of popularity, Avery is a perfectly acceptable name for all genders.

Variations of Avery

Avery is a great name for any newborn, but there are some beautiful variations of the name that are also worth considering.

• Aeverie (English)
• Affery (Hebrew)
• Alberich (German)
• Aubrey (English)
• Ava (Latin)
• Avary (English)
• Averey (English)
• Averi (English)
• Averie (English)
• Avry (English)
• Ivory (Latin)

Nicknames for Avery

Avery on its own is a name that rolls off the tongue quite easily, but its nicknames are even more fun:

• Arie
• Ava
• Ave
• Aver
• Aves
• Avie
• Avy
• Erie
• Riri
• Vi

Similar Names to Avery

If Avery isn’t quite the name you’re looking for, there are many other names with striking similarities. The name Aubrey (meaning “king of the elves”) is the most notable on this list, being near identical in origin, meaning, and pronunciation.

• Ada
• Alf
• Alfred
• Alvin
• Aubrey
• Audrey
• Avah
• Aven
• Bari
• Basil
• Beverly
• Duende
• Elba
• Everly
• Ivory
• Ivy
• Joralf
• Oliver
• Olivia
• Quinn

Middle Names for Avery

You may already have a middle name in mind for your newborn. But, if you don’t, here are some middle names we think go great with Avery.

• Alexander
• Alexandra
• Brooke
• Drake
• Fay
• Grace
• Marie
• Mason
• Rose

Sibling Names for Avery

Avery is a name sure to go well with just about any other sibling’s name. However, there are a few names we thought went with Avery particularly well:

• Aidan
• Amy
• Andy
• Aubrey
• Charity
• Darrel
• Emery
• Eve
• Godfrey
• Ivory
• Mallory
• Terry
• Valerie

Famous People Named Avery

Over the years, idols have stepped into the public spotlight that just about any Avery can look up to.

• Avery Bradley: American NBA basketball player, most notable for playing on the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
• Avery Brooks: American actor, best known for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and American History X.
• Avery Haines: American/Canadian journalist, editor, and host of CTV series W5.
• Avery Johnson: American basketball commentator and former player/head coach for the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets.
• Avery Storm: American singer and songwriter, best known for being featured in the 2008 Rick Ross song “Here I Am.”

Avery in Popular Culture

With its roots in mythology, it’s no surprise that Avery has become a popular name in pop culture.

• Avery: Death Eater in the fantasy book and movie series Harry Potter.
• Avery Bailey Clark: Attorney in CBS series The Young and the Restless.
• Avery Barkley: Singer and songwriter in ABC/CMT series Nashville.
• Avery Bullock: CIA Deputy Director in animated series American Dad!, voiced by Patrick Stewart.
• Avery Dixon: Fern’s oldest brother in the classic novel Charlotte’s Web.
• Avery Jessup: Jack Donaghy’s second wife in 30 Rock, portrayed by Elizabeth Banks.

Avery FAQs

Below are some of the top questions about the name Avery.