Names › Girls' names › A › Ava

Ava

Meaning: possibly 'life' (as a form of Eve) · Origin: uncertain (Germanic or Hebrew) · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

Its origin is debated: it may come from the Germanic name Aveza, or be a form of Eve (Hebrew Chawwah, 'life'). Hollywood star Ava Gardner made it glamorous.

Famous people named Ava

Ava Gardner (actor)
Ava DuVernay (director)
Ava Max (singer)

Nicknames

Avie

Variants & related names

Eva, Avah

Ava name art

A free preview of a printable “Ava” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Ava mean?

Ava means “possibly 'life' (as a form of Eve)”. It comes from uncertain (Germanic or Hebrew).

Is Ava a popular name?

Yes — Ava has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Ava?

Avie.

What are other forms of Ava?

Eva, Avah.

Similar names

Amelia · Aurora · Avery · Abigail · Aria · Addison

More: names starting with A · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.