Ava

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-vah /ˈeɪ.və/Medium

Meaning: Overwhelmingly a girl's name (as borne by Ava Gardner), variously linked to a Latin/Germanic root and to 'bird' or 'life'; it also has a Persian route, Ava, 'voice; sound.' Used here for a boy - a cross-sex use we note plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft name: Ava is overwhelmingly a girl's name; a Persian route gives 'voice; sound' (said 'AY-vah'). Used here for a boy - we note this plainly.

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Origin LowPersian, English

MeaningOverwhelmingly a girl's name (as borne by Ava Gardner), variously linked to a Latin/Germanic root and to 'bird' or 'life'; it also has a Persian route, Ava, 'voice; sound.' Used here for a boy - a cross-sex use we note plainly.

U.S. rank (2023)#12421 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 336

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ava is overwhelmingly a girls' name, with debated European roots and a Persian route ('voice; sound'). As a boy's name it is very rare and cross-sex, which we note plainly - very rare for boys in the U.S. (said 'AY-vah').

It is extremely rare for boys in the U.S.

Did you know? Ava is one of the most popular girls' names (think Ava Gardner), with roots variously read as 'bird; life'; separately, the Persian Ava means 'voice; sound.' It is used here for a boy, a cross-sex use we note plainly (said 'AY-vah').

Overall data confidence 34%

References - Ava — overwhelmingly female; Persian Ava 'voice'; cross-sex

Variations

AvahAvaAvaa

Nicknames

AvVava

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ava…

Avan— a like Av- boy's name

Avi— a like short Av- name

Evan— a like sound-alike name

Ivan— a like classic V- boy's name

Explore names like Ava

By themeuncertain soft cross-sex persian

By meaningBird Life Snow / Winter

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ava mean?

Ava is overwhelmingly a girl's name; a Persian route gives 'voice; sound.' Used here for a boy.

How do you pronounce Ava?

It's said AY-vah /ˈeɪ.və/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ava a boy or girl name?

Ava is overwhelmingly a girl's name; it is used here for a boy - we note this plainly.

How popular is Ava?

Ava is extremely rare in the U.S.