Baby Names

These baby names are similar to the name Ava in sound and meaning.
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These 24 Baby Names Are Beautiful Alternatives To Ava

Because you like the name, but you also want something different.

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If you want a sweet and simple baby name, Ava is probably at the top of your list. The short, two-syllable name is a popular choice, but still has plenty of timeless appeal. So, what if you love it, but want something different? These baby names if you like Ava might be just what you're looking for.

Ava name meaning & history

The origin of the name Ava is pretty complex for such a simple moniker. The baby name Ava is derived from the Latin word "Avis," which means “bird.” Additionally, German origins for the name can be traced back to medieval times with the name meaning "island" or "water." It is also possible that Ava is a shortened version of the name Chava, the Hebrew form of Eve, meaning "life" or "living one.” Common variations on the name Ava include Avalee, Avaline, Eva and Evelyn.

Notable figures throughout history have helped to popularize the name, dating all the way back to Saint Ava, a 9th-century princess, and the medieval German poet Ava (the first named female writer in the German language, according to Poemhunter). Famous Avas in the U.S. include socialite Ava Lowle Willing (1868–1958), wife to John Jacob Astor IV, and their daughter, socialite and heiress Ava Alice Muriel Astor (1902–1956). Actress Ava Gardner (1922-1990) was one of Hollywood’s brightest stars from the 1950s to 1970s. Known for her striking beauty and gossip-worthy romantic life (including a marriage to Frank Sinatra), Gardner starred in such films as Mogambo (1953), which earned her an Academy Award nomination, and The Night of the Iguana (1964).

Maybe Ava is a name you've loved since your own childhood, but you already bequeathed that title to your firstborn. Perhaps you had a dream where you met a grown-up version of your child and they let you know that Ava was off-limits. (Crazier things have happened, right?) Whatever your reason for straying from the baby name is, take a look at this list to see if any Ava alternatives strike your fancy.

1

Sophia

The baby name Sophia is nearly as popular as Ava, taking the number five spot on the SSA’s list of most popular baby girl names in 2020, just two spots behind Ava. Both names have an elegant appeal and end with a soft “ah” sound. Sophia is of Greek origin and means “wisdom.”

2

Cora

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Like the baby name Ava, Cora is a short, but vowel-filled baby girl name. Similarly to Ava, Cora can also be lengthened by adding “lyn” to the end as a more formal version of the name. Cora is a name of Greek origin and means “maiden.”

3

Olivia

From Wilde to Colman, Munn, and Rodrigo, there are plenty of famous Olivias in the present-day pop culture spotlight. If you’re inspired by these strong women, Olivia is a popular baby name that’s similar in nature to Ava.

4

Raven

If you like that the baby name Ava has a Latin origin that means “bird,” you might consider the name of an actual type of bird as a potential moniker for your newborn. Raven is a gender neutral baby name that means ”wise” or “dark haired,” so it’s especially ideal for babies born with a swath of dark hair on their head.

5

Emma

Similar to Ava in sound and syllable-length, Emma means "universal," which is fitting for such a popular name.

6

Eva

Similar to Ava, Eva is a short baby name that has the letter "v" sandwiched by two vowels at the beginning and end. Also like Ava, the name Eva is a derivative of the Hebrew name Eve, which means "life.”

7

Avery

The beginning of the baby name Avery has the same root sound as the name Ava, making it a wonderful choice if a name that sounds similar to Ava is music to your ears. You can also use alternative spellings for Avery such as Averie or Averi to make it more unique.

8

Evelyn

Just like the baby name Ava, the name Evelyn means "water" or "island," so it's meaning has a similar tropical feel. However, Evelyn is of English origin. Unlike Ava, there are alternate ways to spell Evelyn including Evaline, Evalyn, and Eveline, so the name offers a bit more versatility.

9

Avalyn

If you love the baby name Ava and are also fond of the name Evelyn, combining the two into the name Avalyn might be an option for you.

10

Ella

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Ella has been in the top 20 most popular baby girl names in the U.S. since 2008. The shortened version of Eleanor or Ellen, Ella can mean "light," "other," or "all" depending on which origin of the name you look at.

11

Eve

Lovers of baby names with just three letters can turn to Eve as an alternative to Ava. By simply inserting an "e" where each "a" appears in Ava, you get another short and sweet moniker that rolls right off the tongue. Plus, there's hope that your little one might master writing their own name sooner rather than later since they just have to learn to write two letters to do so.

12

Robin

Since one of the meanings of the baby name Ava is bird, those who love this particular meaning may find the name of an actual bird to be an attractive name choice. Robin was a popular baby girl name throughout the ‘80s, but the name actually saw peak popularity from 1953 to 1979, waffling between the top 30 and top 90 most popular names, per the SSA.

13

Wren

Also in the bird family, Wren might be just the name you're searching for if you love the meaning of the baby name Ava.

14

Aya

Aya is another short, vowel-filled name choice for parents who are considering Ava, but aren't sold on giving their baby a hugely popular moniker. The name Aya means "colorful one" in Japanese, but also has roots in other cultures including Native American and German.

15

Arya

As any Game of Thrones fan would tell you, the name Arya is one full of strength and power that has surged in popularity over the past few years. A Sanskirt name meaning "noble," Arya is similar in sound and structure to Ava, but offers a bit more gusto and vibrato.

16

Ida

Baby names that could be deemed "old-fashioned" or "grandma-like" are often the ones with the most timeless appeal, and Ida (although similar enough to Ava) has this quality. Legendary civil rights leader Ida B. Wells boasts the classic name, so using Ida as your baby's name would most certainly put her in the company of greatness.

17

Mia

If you're looking for a baby name that offers a similar spunky appeal to Ava, Mia is a spirited alternative. Mia means "beloved" in Scandinavian. The name is also shared by soccer legend Mia Hamm, the iconic actress Mia Farrow, and was the name of Anne Hathaway's treasured character in The Princess Diaries.

18

Ada

German for "noble," the baby name Ada is an easy switch from a name like Ava. Replacing the "v" with a "d," you can have a similar-sounding name to Ava with a completely different meaning.

19

Bria

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The baby name Bria is a derivative of the Italian word "brio" which means "liveliness and vigor.” Like Ava, it's a short, sassy moniker that is quick to say and sounds downright peppy. Bria can also be used as a nickname for a longer, more traditional name like Bridgette or Brianna.

20

Clara

I will never hear the name Clara and not think of the character from The Nutcracker. This stately name offers a more lyrical style than Ava, but still has a similar sound to it. Clara is Latin for "bright" or "clear.”

21

Daviana

A variation of the Hebrew name Davina, the name Daviana is of Scottish origin and means "beloved.” Although it might seem like quite a stretch from Ava, the name Daviana has both the letter "a" and "v" within it and ends in the same vowel sound.

22

Lila

The baby name Lila is derived from the Arabic word for "night," but also has roots in the Sanskrit language meaning "play.” Like Ava, Lila is a short, two-syllable name and can be used as a nickname for longer, more formal names like Lillian.

23

Myra

Since the name Myra has never been particularly popular (per SSA data), it's fair to say that Myra is a beautiful choice if you want a name that is similar in sound to Ava but not overly used.

24

Zola

Grey's Anatomy fans may recognize Zola as the name of the baby girl that characters Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd adopted in season 8 of the show. Short, sassy, and vowel-filled, Zola is a fantastic choice for parents who love the appeal of Ava but want something more unique.

One of the biggest decisions of your life (and your child’s) is picking a name for your baby. Whether you pick a name that’s particularly meaningful to you, one that just sounds perfect when you say it out loud, or a name that’s especially popular at the moment, if you’re inspired by the baby name Ava, hopefully this list of similar monikers has helped you land on the perfect name for your little one.

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