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Av- and Ev- Names: Putting a New Spin on Ava and Evelyn

Aurra
By Aurra
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Once upon a time, not so long ago, was a time when Ava was barely on the charts and Evelyn long gone from the top 100. Now, Top Ten Ava is a contender for the number one name of the year and Evelyn is sitting comfortably at 24. Unisex Avery is enjoying slot 18 as a girl's name that has more tomboyishness than Ava. Evie, diminuitive of Evelyn, is rising fast, and has hit the coveted top 10 in the UK. Once upon a time, Av- and Ev- names were considered rare, exotic jewels. As this trend sees no signs to slowing down, many are looking for alternatives to the uber popular names that fill up three slots on kindergarten rosters. Look no further. Av- and Ev- names without a mark on the top 100 still exist.
  1. Evangeline

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of good news"

    • Description:

      Evangeline is a romantic old name enjoying a major comeback, thanks to its religious overtones, Eva's popularity, and the star of the TV megahit Lost, Evangeline Lilly. Evangelia and Evangelina — two variants of Evangeline — are sure to tag along for the ride.
  2. Eve

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Eve, the oldest name in the Book, is now coming back into style, having the virtues of simplicity and purity, yet with more strength and resonance than other single-syllable names like Ann. British actor Clive Owen chose Eve for his daughter, as did Jessica Capshaw.
  3. Aveline

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"

    • Description:

      Aveline is a name that's long been an obscure cousin of more widely-used choices, but may come into its own riding the tail of the megapopular Ava, which may derive from the same root.
  4. Aoife

    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful, radiant"

    • Description:

      Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman warrior in the world and enemy of her twin sister, Scathach.
  5. Avalon

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "island of apples"

    • Description:

      Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
  6. Evelina

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"

    • Description:

      A popular name in the Middle Ages, Evelina was eclipsed by Evelyn in the last century, but has a chance at a well-deserved comeback now, fitting right in with the other Ev-names. Like Evelyn, it derives from the Norman name Aveline.
  7. Aviva

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "springlike, fresh, dewy"

    • Description:

      Aviva is vivacious and memorable, a fresh spin on the Vivian and Vivienne names that have been getting more popular since Angelina and Brad chose one for their twin daughter. Another A-beginning palindrome name: Aziza.
  8. Evadne

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pleasing one"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Evadne was the daughter of Poseidon. Evadne also appears in literature (Mary Shelley's "The Last Man") and has a pop culture reference as the cousin of Wonder Woman. A more unusual alternative to other Greek "-ee" names like Ariadne, Daphne and Penelope. The trendy "Ev" sound makes this a lovely choice in a world of Evelyns, Evangelines and Everlys.
  9. Evanthe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "fair flower"

    • Description:

      Evanthe is a pretty Greek name not often heard outside its native culture. With its stylish Ev-begining, Evanthe could make an interesting choice if you're looking for a generic flower name.
  10. Avi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father"

    • Description:

      Avi, the short form of many Hebrew names, is often used on its own in Israel. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
  11. Ever

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "always, eternally, constantly"

    • Description:

      A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends when he named his now grown-up actress daughter Ever back in the 70s, while more recently, it was used by both Milla Jovovich and Owain Yeoman.
  12. Avril

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "April"

    • Description:

      The French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne put the spotlight on this name when she made the charts with "Sk8er Boi". It is simply the French form of April, the fourth month of the year, whose name might derive from the Latin aperire meaning "to open" in reference to the start of spring in the Northern hemisphere. Other sources suggest it comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
  13. Eveline

    • Origin:

      English or French

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"

    • Description:

      Variant of Evelyn or Aveline
  14. Aviana

    • Origin:

      Variation of Avis, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      Aviana is a name that's like the megapopular Ava and Ariana, but not quite as popular as either. It entered into the mainstream back in 2010 however, after actress Amy Adams chose it for her daughter, fulfilling her desire to choose a "normal" name after all, even if it didn't seem like that a decade ago.
  15. Evanna

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Evan, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Evanna is the name of a Harry Potter actress who pronounces it ee-vah-na. This might be considered another international feminine form of the many variations of John; Ivana, Giovanna, and even Joan are cousins of Evanna. It could also be a compound name, combining Eva and Anna.
  16. Evangelina

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of good news"

    • Description:

      Why is Evangeline so popular -- close to Number 200 in the US -- while Evangelina hasn't charted in the Top 1000 since the early 1950s? The stardom of Evangeline Lilly has something to do with the relative popularity of that form, but Evangelina is just as pretty and romantic but given to only 10% as many baby girls.
  17. Avis

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.
  18. Evgenia

    • Origin:

      Greek; Russian; Bulgarian

    • Meaning:

      "wellborne, noble"

    • Description:

      The Greek and Bulgarian form of Eugenia, or an alternate transcription of the Russian Yevgeniya.
  19. Eviana

    • Description:

      Eviana is a modern feminine name that likely emerged as a blend of popular names like Eva, Evie, or Evelyn with the romantic -ana suffix. It may also be viewed as a variation of Ivana or a feminine form of Evan. With its melodic four syllables, Eviana has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to more traditional naming roots. The name has gained some modest popularity in the 21st century, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. Eviana carries an elegant, feminine quality with potential meanings connected to its root names - Eva relates to 'life' in Hebrew, while Evan has Welsh origins meaning 'young warrior.' Its flowing sound and unique character make it increasingly appealing in today's naming landscape.
  20. Evette

    • Description:

      Evette is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Eve. Eve derives from the Hebrew name Chavah, meaning "life" or "living one." Evette emerged as a more delicate, affectionate version with the characteristic French diminutive suffix "-ette." The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, though it never reached the top rankings. Evette offers a softer, more elaborate alternative to the biblical simplicity of Eve while maintaining its connection to the concept of life and vitality. The name has a certain vintage charm today, as it's less commonly given to newborns than in previous generations. Evette's French styling gives it an elegant, feminine quality while its biblical roots provide historical depth and meaning.