What does the name Avery Mean? In this quick guide, we will explore the origin, history, popularity, and meaning of the name Avery.
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History and Origin of The Name Avery
The name Avery has a rich and interesting history behind it. It is derived from the Old French name Alfred, which means sage counsellor or wise. It is one of the many names that were introduced by the Normans to England in the 11th century.
The name has been around for centuries and has seen various changes in spelling. The current spelling of the name Avery was first recorded in the 16th century. Let’s explore further and understand the history and origin of the name Avery.
Etymology of The Name Avery
The name Avery is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Avery is: Descended from Alfred.
The source of the surname Avery has been traced back to the Old French words “asa” or “avel,” and Latin – a regional root functioning in parts of England while France and Brittany were still independent states. The original Middle English forms of “Avery” included Alfred, Alvred, Averi, Averel, and Auery.
Derivatives of these various names include Apfel (German), Appels (Flemish), Auber (French), Avarez (Catalan) and Allfrey (Norman). Britanny preserves its distinctiveness with variations such as Auffray, Aweroyuez and Oudry, while in Italy with Aubri and Alfeo, which is derived from Eligius – a venerated 7th century saint often associated with healing miracles.
In Ireland an Anglo-Norman version – Averhill can be found although it lost its popularity after Cromwell’s invasion in the 17th century. In Scotland variant names such as Averie or Acary can still be found whilst certain Scandinavian versions remain phonetically pronounced such as Afelid or Andreasen in Denmark.
Today its most common form remains “Avery.” It ranks as one of the top 2% most popular first names given to boys in recent years according to Social Security data compiled in 2020.
Popularity of The Name Avery
The name Avery has experienced a steady rise in popularity over time and is currently one of the most popular baby girl names in the United States. This popularity can be attributed to the classic sound of the name, as well as its meaning, which is derived from an English surname which was originally derived from other words such as Averill, Alfred, Alan and Alvin.
Avery is a unisex name and has grown in popularity among both boys and girls. Statistics show that Avery ranked as the 81st most popular baby girl’s name in 2019 with 654 babies being named Avery. It also ranked at 192nd for boys with 616 boys given this name during that same year.
This increase could be due to celebrities who have chosen the name for their children or even how it was used by authors or directors in their works. The growing trend of parents choosing gender-neutral names for their children may also be a contributing factor to its rising popularity.
The name’s characteristics draw many parents because it appeals to those who are looking for something more unique than traditional American names, while still keeping things traditional enough to maintain its classic charm.
Variations of The Name Avery
The name Avery is a popular name for both boys and girls, and has seen a resurgence in recent years. There are many different variations of this name, from the more traditional Averi, Averie, and even Avril. These variations can be used to express different sentiments and give the name a unique flair. In this article, we’ll explore the different variations of the name Avery and their meanings, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Common Variations of The Name Avery
The name Avery is derived from the Old French Averi or Auvery and is a version of the name Alfred, meaning “counselor of the elves.” This name has been popular in North America since the end of the 19th century. It was initially more popular as a girl’s name but ownership has since shifted.
Common variations of Avery include Averey, Avrie, Averie, Avari, Avarya, Avarie and Averii. Even though they vary slightly in spelling and pronunciation due to their multiple origins around the world, they all share the same root meanings – “elf counselor” (from Old English) or “ruler of all” (from Middle English).
Avery also has multiple nicknames including Avee, Aveers and Avella. Some people select variations to honor family members or provide gender neutrality within families.
Other forms of Avery such as Everleigh and Everly have also become popular choices for parents over recent years.
Other Variations of The Name Avery
Along with Avery as a given name, there are various other variations of the name. Common derivations and variations include Averi, Avry, and Averie. Lesser known variants include Averey (used in Australia and New Zealand), Averee, Averyl and Avriel (Judaic).
Some other related names are Averil (English), Everitt (German) and Everett. Each of these versions have their own unique uniqueness to them, which makes them distinguishable from each other by both sound and meaning.
The origin of the name is rooted in Old English and means “ruler of the elves”, which extends from Old English words for “elf” and “power – ruler”. The name has been adopted by many countries over time because it is easy to pronounce.
It has historically been used as either a surname or first name for both males and females in the United States but has become more common as a female first name in recent times; it is also popular across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and Scotland, among other countries.
An interesting variation on the given name Avery is that it can be converted into an alliterative phrase if combined with another word beginning with “A”, like “Awesome Ave” or “Awe-inspiring Ave”. Such examples further add to the body of creative incarnations that can come from this simple yet powerful moniker!
Meaning of The Name
The name Avery can trace its roots back to Old English, with the meaning of “ruler of the elves”. In the United States, Avery is one of the more popular name choices for new babies.
It’s been a top 500 name in the U.S. since the 1980s, and it has a few variations including Averi, Averie, and Averil. Let’s explore the meaning of Avery and what this name says about its bearer.
What Does The Name Avery Mean?
The name Avery is English in origin and is derived from the Old French name Alfred. ‘Avery’ is a compound of aelf (elf) and raed (counsel). This can be translated to “Elf Counsel” or “Elf Wisdom”. In Middle English, the word ‘avery’ was used to describe power or authority.
Avery has a rich history as both a male and female name, though it was originally used mostly for boys. It began creeping up the female charts in 2003 and has been experienced rapid growth in popularity ever since; currently ranked number 29 among female babies born in the United States in 2017.
The meaning behind Avery not only expresses “elf wisdom,” but also carries connection to powerful words like power, authority, influence, skill, strength and courage.
These qualities no doubt contribute to the increase of parents choosing Avery for both baby boys and girls. Today Avery is increasingly being seen as unisex.
Other Interpretations of The Name Avery
In addition to the given meaning of Avery – which is derived from an Old French name, having a variant spelling of Averill – there are a range of other interpretations attributed to this classic name.
For example, in the Celtic language it translates to ‘elf counsel’ or magical; whilst in Hebrew the meaning is ‘breath’ or ‘bringer of good news’. In Persian, Avery translates to ‘wise and enlightened one’; and in German its meaning is believed to be ‘noble strength’.
The Gaelic for Avery can be derived from two root words: macc (meaning son) and macuillin (which means hero). Consequently, Avery signifies the heroic son. Alternatively, some people attribute the feminine variation of Averille – which conveys honourable strength – as being influential in determining this particular use of Avery as a girl’s name; along with its deep-rooted association with soldiers who bravely defended their territories during wartime periods.
Famous People Named Avery
Given the popular name Avery, there are a lot of famous people with this name. Avery Brooks is an American actor best known for his television roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the HBO series A Black Lady Sketch Show. Singer Avery Wilson has achieved success on NBC’s The Voice and is currently signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. Let’s take a look at some of the other famous Averys.
Notable People Named Avery
There are a number of famous people, past and present, who share the name Avery. In the world of entertainment, Avery Brooks is an actor best known for his portrayal of Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Another Avery on the big screen was singer and actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton (also known mononymously as Aaliyah), who starred in films such as Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned.
The technological world has given us notable people named Avery like computer scientist Robbins Barstow who co-founded Digital Equipment Corporation in 1957 with Kenneth Olsen and Gordon Bell; industrialist David Packard who was a co-founder of Hewlett-Packard; and John W. Samuel, Jr., (1916-2003), creator of West Virginia’s first computer network system at IBM’s Research Triangle Park facility in Raleigh, North Carolina.
On the sports field we have Michael Avery, born in Massachusetts, who as a professional soccer player played for teams such as The Montreal Impact and New England Revolution; Bobbie Bellville Avery, gold medalist swimmer in 1948 at a Southern California Olympiad meet; Heather Owens (Avery) Richardson a track athlete who held multiple U.S. track & field records during her career from 1992 to 1996; Melissa “Missy” Francis-Avery an American professional bowler with many tournament wins to her name, including the 2016 PBA Women’s Series Tulsa Open.
Finally there is Avery Bradley an American basketball player with teams such as Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons or Memphis Grizzles since 2010 until 2021 when he retired from the sport altogether.
Famous Fictional Characters Named Avery
Avery is a name of English origin primarily used as a masculine name. It is thought to have originated from an Old English surname from the element “Ælfhere”, which means elf army. The first use of the Avery surname is traced back to 1327, in Wiltshire, England.
- There are many famous or notable fictional characters who share the name Avery. Here are just a few examples:
- Avery Jessup, played by Elizabeth Banks on the television series 30 Rock.
- Avery Wilbur, character in the television drama series House of Cards
- Doctor Avery Suluchaar, major character in Stephen King’s novel Pet Sematary.
- Avery Simpson, character in Cartoon Network’s Johnny Bravo cartoon series
- Judge Harry T. Avery Sr., in USA network’s Suits
- Lisa Marie ‘Avery’ Jennings, title character on ABC Family’s Swap Meet show
- Iona Avery Stevens/Anonymous Woman, protagonist in mystery novel Nightshade by Olivia Lousada
Fun Facts About The Name Avery
The name Avery is of Old English origin, and is derived from the Old French name Averi, meaning “ruler of the elves”. It is a unisex name, popular both among boys and girls. It is particularly popular in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Let’s look at some interesting facts about the name Avery.
Interesting Facts About The Name Avery
Avery is a gender-neutral name of English origin that means “ wise ruler”, stemming from the Old English elements aelf (elf) and ric (king). The name has been in use since the 12th century, however it has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in North America. It is often seen as an alternative spelling for Alfred or Alvred.
- There are several interesting facts associated with the name Avery:
- In 2018, Avery was the 34th most popular given name for boys in the United States and one of the fastest rising names on many baby lists.
- The most famous person with this name is likely actress Avery Edison from Canada’s Second City Troupe.
- Avery attained international fame when Hollywood actress Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds named their daughter James Avery in 2014.
- The melody “Avery’s Song” can be found on The British band Elbow’s third album Cast of Thousands.
- The title character of HBO’s comedy series Insecure is named Issa Dee (Issa Rae) but originally planned to be named “Avery” before it was changed during production.
Fun Stories About The Name Avery
The name Avery is reputed to have roots in both England and France and a few fun stories associated with its origin.
In England, Avery is believed to have derived from an Old English name, Alfred, meaning “elf counsel”. Alfred the Great was a British King from 871 to 899, who made a stand against the Danes.
He is often credited with transforming little insignificant England into one of Europe’s most powerful states. Many people speculated that his success in battle had something to do with the power of his name—Avery or Alfred.
The French derivation of the name comes from a place-name Averi which referred to someone who lived by an overgrown meadow and may even have meant witch in old French dialects. This story follows on a further tale where soldiers who fought in battles while carrying this banner were considered invincible because they had protection from evil forces—hence the term ‘avery’.
Today, many parents are drawn to this multi-cultural history when considering their baby’s name — making Avery one of the most popular and timeless choices for their little ones!
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