Pronunciation | /ˈeɪvəri/ AY-vər-ee or /ˈeɪvri/ AYV-ree |
---|---|
Gender | Unisex |
Language(s) | English, Old English, Norman French |
Origin | |
Derivation | Ælfred |
Meaning | "Elf-counsel" |
Other names | |
Alternative spelling | Averie, Averi |
See also | Alfred, Alf, Alberich, Aubrey |
Avery is traditionally a male given name ultimately derived from the Old English name Ælfred (Old English form of Alfred),[1] which is formed from the elements ælf 'elf' and ræd 'counsel', and literally translating to 'elf-counsel'.[2]
Beginning in the late 20th century, Avery began to also be used as a female given name and sometimes appears with the feminine alternative spellings Averie/Averi.[3][4] Avery also exists as a surname.
The name is now a much more popular given name for girls than for boys in the United States and Canada. In the U.S. in 2021, it ranked 19th in popularity for girls, and 221st for boys.[5] The same year in Canada, it ranked 33rd for girls and 159th for boys.[6] In one study of babies born in the State of Pennsylvania between 1990 and 2010, more girls were named Avery than boys in each year studied.[7]
In England and Wales, Avery is less popular over all and is used as both a masculine and feminine name with similar frequency, though still slightly more for girls. In 2021, it ranked 355th for girls and 433 for boys.[8]
It has also been suggested that it could possibly be a derivation of the Germanic name Alberich which, if true, would make it a doublet of Aubrey.[9]