Avery
Avery is a unisex name of English origin meaning “ruler of elves, counsel of elves.” It ranked #37 in the United States in 2025. An English surname derived from the Norman French form of the Germanic name Alfred or Aubrey.
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how do you pronounce Avery?
AY-ver-ee
where does the name Avery come from?
An English surname descended from the Norman French Alfred or from the Germanic Alberich, meaning elf ruler or elf counsel. The elf element is not decorative — in Germanic belief elves were powerful beings whose favour mattered, so the name claims supernatural backing.
It transitioned from a male surname to a popular unisex given name in the late 20th century, particularly popular for girls in the United States.
how popular is this name?
Avery has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 37 years since 1989. It peaked at #12 in 2013, and ranked #37 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #37 |
| 2024 | #31 |
| 2023 | #29 |
| 2022 | #26 |
| 2021 | #19 |
| 2020 | #19 |
| 2019 | #18 |
| 2018 | #16 |
| 2017 | #14 |
| 2016 | #16 |
| 2013 | #12 |
| 2010 | #23 |
| 2000 | #176 |
| 1990 | #802 |
| 1989 | #960 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Avery fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Avery
Alberich appears in the Nibelungenlied as the dwarf guarding the hoard, and Wagner drew on him for the Ring cycle. The surname reached America early and converted to a given name there in the late twentieth century, shifting decisively toward girls in the 1990s while remaining in use for boys — one of the more evenly balanced unisex names in current use.
what are the nicknames and variants of Avery?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Avery?
- Avery Brooks (actor)
- Avery Johnson (basketball coach)
what names are similar to Avery?
what names go well with Avery?
Sibling names that share Avery's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Avery
What does the name Avery mean?
Avery means “ruler of elves, counsel of elves”.
What is the origin of the name Avery?
Avery comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Avory, Averie and Averill.
How popular is the name Avery?
Avery ranked #37 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2013, at #12, and it has spent 37 years in the top 1,000 since 1989.
Is Avery a boy or girl name?
Avery is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Avery?
Avery is pronounced AY-ver-ee, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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