Avis
Avis is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Desired or refuge; historically conflated with the Latin word for 'bird'.
Origin and history
Avis is a vintage name derived from the Old Germanic name Aveza, possibly linked to the root avis, meaning 'desired' or 'refuge'. Though historically often associated with the Latin word for 'bird', its true root is Germanic. In the U.S., it has been used for both males and females, remaining a rare choice for boys throughout the past century.
Popularity in the United States
818 babies in the United States have been named Avis since 1880. It ranks #3858 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1915.
States where it is most popular
- VA (100 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 74 |
| 1920-1930 | 132 |
| 1930-1940 | 86 |
| 1940-1950 | 78 |
| 1950-1960 | 33 |
| 1960-1970 | 84 |
| 1970-1980 | 95 |
| 1980-1990 | 100 |
| 1990-2000 | 49 |
| 2000-2010 | 27 |
| 2010-2019 | 48 |
| 2020-2029 | 12 |
Fun facts
- While commonly assumed to come directly from the Latin word for bird, the name actually originates from the Germanic name Aveza.
- Although more commonly given to girls in the early 20th century, Avis has a steady history of recorded usage for boys in the U.S.