can avery be a boy name?
The unique appeal of Avery has always captured the attention of parents, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that its popularity really began to take off. While the name is historically masculine, more and more girls in the United States have been given the name.
The Social Security Administration's latest data from 2020 reveals it as the 19th most popular name for girls and the 212th most popular name for boys. Avery's biggest year for girls was in 2013 when it sat at No. 12, and it has consistently ranked in the top 20 names since.
The entertainment industry almost certainly played a role in Avery's popularity, as well. In 2010, the popular TV comedy "30 Rock" introduced the character of reporter Avery Jessup (actress Elizabeth Banks), while heart-breaker Avery Barkley (actor Jonathan Jackson) became a favorite on the musical drama "Nashville."
Variations of the name Avery include:
Other names that sound similar to Avery:
Other gender-neutral names starting with A:
The most common nicknames for Avery include:
Some possible sibling names for Avery include:
Famous people with the name Avery:
Famous fictional characters named Avery:
Avery is traditionally a male given name which was originally an Old English surname that was itself derived from an Old French pronunciation of the name Alfred or the Ancient Germanic name Alberich.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are two acceptable ways to pronounce Avery: “AY-ver-ee” or “AYV-ree.” The name sounds similar to the word “savory.”
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.
Avery is a great name for any newborn, but there are some beautiful variations of the name that are also worth considering.
Avery on its own is a name that rolls off the tongue quite easily, but its nicknames are even more fun:
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.
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.
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:
Over the years, idols have stepped into the public spotlight that just about any Avery can look up to.
With its roots in mythology, it’s no surprise that Avery has become a popular name in pop culture.
Below are some of the top questions about the name Avery.
