Ava
Ava is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Desired, or water/island.
Origin and history
Ava is a classic feminine name of Germanic origin, historically linked to the name element *avi*, meaning 'desired' or 'island'. It was widely popularized in mid-20th-century culture by Hollywood legend Ava Gardner. Today, it remains one of the most popular given names for girls in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
344,097 babies in the United States have been named Ava since 1880. It ranks #108 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #8.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.3 %)
- TX (8.2 %)
- NY (6.3 %)
- FL (5.3 %)
- PA (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 279 |
| 1890-1900 | 479 |
| 1900-1910 | 533 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,401 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,590 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,180 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,346 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,237 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,342 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,319 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,416 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,207 |
| 2000-2010 | 104,539 |
| 2010-2019 | 155,879 |
| 2020-2029 | 63,350 |
Famous people named Ava
- Ava Gardner: Actress
- Ava DuVernay: Filmmaker, Director
Fun facts
- Legendary actress Ava Gardner brought international recognition to the name during Hollywood's Golden Age.
- After declining in usage in the late 20th century, Ava experienced a dramatic revival in the early 2000s to reach the U.S. top 10.