How to say it
AY · ve · ry
ˈeɪ.və.ri
Unisex
Avery
Elf counsel
What it means
A Norman softening of the Old English Ælfræd, made from ælf (elf, spirit) and ræd (counsel). A quieter cousin of Alfred.
Avery began as an English surname, the Norman French way of saying Alfred, and held that surname role for centuries. The Avery family of Boston was established by the 1640s. The shift to a given name came in the 20th century. From the 1990s onward it shifted from mostly male to mostly female, helped by a generation of parents picking surname-style first names. It's now firmly unisex in US usage, leaning feminine in recent years.
How to spell Avery
The standard spelling is Avery. Common variants include Averie, Averi, Avary, but Avery is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #12 in 2013, currently #37 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #181 in 2017, currently #291 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Avery and Aubrey are close in sound and easily confused at introductions. Worth knowing they're distinct names with different roots.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Avery Brooks American actor who played Captain Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Spelling variants
- Averie
- Averi
- Avary
Names with the same feeling
See Avery from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Avery mean?
- A Norman softening of the Old English Ælfræd, made from ælf (elf, spirit) and ræd (counsel). A quieter cousin of Alfred.
- What does Avery mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Avery means "Elf counsel." Avery began as an English surname, the Norman French way of saying Alfred, and held that surname role for centuries. The Avery family of Boston was established by the 1640s. The shift to a given name came in the 20th century. From the 1990s onward it shifted from mostly male to mostly female, helped by a generation of parents picking surname-style first names. It's now firmly unisex in US usage, leaning feminine in recent years.
- How do you pronounce Avery?
- Avery is pronounced ˈeɪ.və.ri. Say it as AY-ve-ry, with the stress on the "ay" syllable.
- How do you spell Avery?
- The standard spelling is Avery. Common spelling variants include Averie, Averi, Avary.
- Is Avery a boy or girl name?
- Avery is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Avery?
- Avery ranked #37 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.