Ava

The name Ava might be a trendy choice for modern parents, but don't let its current star-status fool you. It's a name with serious staying power, dating back to at least the 9th century, when historical texts speak of a Saint Ava, daughter of the French king, who became abbess of a convent. The first female author named in the German language, Ava of Melk, wrote a series of poems around the year 1100. So this name isn't some flash-in-the-pan trend; it's been around longer than you'd expect!

That being said, Ava's origins probably stem from the Germanic root "avi," meaning "desired." Although it could possibly be a variant of the Biblical name Eve, meaning "to live." Less likely — but certainly possible — is that it's a derivative of the Latin word "avis," meaning "bird." Basically, it's a name with multiple meanings, and you can choose which you like best!

Your little Ava will be in good company with the likes of some celebrity kids: Reese Witherspoon, Heather Locklear, and Hugh Jackman all have daughters named Ava. And of course, we can't forget the iconic old-Hollywood screen legend Ava Gardner! When she was born in 1922, the name Ava only ranked at #567 out of the top 1000 most popular baby names. But it's been steadily in the top 10 since 2005, its highest rank coming in 2020 when it was #3.

Ava in quotes:

"Ava was a girl who knew her own mind. She was not afraid to speak her truth, even if it meant standing up to those who were older or more powerful than her." — 'Ava's Witch' by Anne Ursu

"Ava is a skilled assassin who is always one step ahead of her enemies," — 'Ava' (movie, 2020)