Entry № 0058 · English, Germanic origin

Avery Avery — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ AY-ver-ee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
English, Germanic
Meaning
"Ruler of elves"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 27
First recorded
Medieval (surname)

A name that means "ruler of elves".

Avery is an English surname turned given name — from the Old French Auvery, itself from the Old Germanic Alberic, meaning "elf ruler" or "wise counsel." The same root that gives Aubrey, Albert, and the medieval king of the dwarves Alberic.

Avery is unisex but used overwhelmingly for girls in the U.S. since the 2000s. It entered the top 100 in 2003 and now sits in the top 30 — a modern surname-name with mythic Germanic roots.

Ruler of elves. A surname turned into one of the most modern girl names.

Where Avery stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 27 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 14 in 2015
Babies named Avery · last year
6,824 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1989
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №14 NOW · №27

Averys before her.

Real people
Avery Brundage
American sports administrator, former IOC president.
1887 – 1975
In fiction
Avery
Common contemporary character name.

Names connected to Avery.

The number behind Avery.

4

The Builder

Avery reduces to four — the number of steadiness and quiet competence.

Why families chose this name.

"Three soft syllables and a meaning we both loved — wise ruler."
Madison · Mother of one · Chicago