Avery is traditionally a male
given name
A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...
ultimately derived from the
Old English
Old English ( or , or ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brought to Great Britain by Anglo-S ...
name
Ælfred (Old English form of
Alfred
Alfred may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
*''Alfred J. Kwak'', Dutch-German-Japanese anime television series
* ''Alfred'' (Arne opera), a 1740 masque by Thomas Arne
* ''Alfred'' (Dvořák), an 1870 opera by Antonín Dvořák
*"Alfred (Interlu ...
), which is formed from the elements
''ælf'' 'elf' and
''ræd 'counsel', and literally translates to 'elf-counsel'.
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.
Regional popularity
North America
The name is now a much more popular given name for girls than for boys in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
and
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
. In the U.S. in 2021, it ranked 19th in popularity for girls, and 221st for boys. The same year in Canada, it ranked 33rd for girls and 159th for boys. In 2022, it had dropped to 40th and 181st respectively in Canada.
In one study of babies born in the State of
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
between 1990 and 2010, more girls were named Avery than boys in each year studied.
Great Britain
In
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
and
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
, 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.
Alternative etymology
It has also been suggested that it could possibly be a derivation of the
Germanic name
Alberich
In German heroic legend, Alberich () is a dwarf. He features most prominently in the poems ''Nibelungenlied'' and '' Ortnit''. He also features in the Old Norse collection of German legends called the Thidreksaga under the name Alfrikr. His na ...
which, if true, would make it a
doublet of
Aubrey
Aubrey () is a traditionally male English language, English name. It was quite common in the Middle Ages, but had lost favour for a time before experiencing a resurgence of popularity in the 19th century.
In the United States, following the 1973 ...
.
Notable people with the name
As a male name
*
Avery Caesar Alexander (1910–1999), American civil rights leader and Louisiana politician
*
Avery Anderson (born 1997), American politician
*
Avery Anderson III (born 2000), American basketball player
*
Avery Atkins (1987–2007), American football player
*
Avery August (born 1964), American scientist, vice provost at Cornell University
*
Avery Aylsworth (born 1996), American volleyball player
*
Avery Blake, American college lacrosse player and coach
*
Avery Bradley (born 1990), American professional basketball player
*
Avery Brooks (born 1948), American actor, director, singer, and educator best known for his role as Benjamin Sisko in ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''
*
Avery Brundage
Avery Brundage (; September 28, 1887 – May 8, 1975) was the fifth president of the International Olympic Committee, serving from 1952 to 1972, the only American and first non-European to attain that position. Brundage is remembered as a z ...
(1887–1975), American sports administrator, President of the International Olympic Committee, 1952–1972
*
Alfred Avery Burnham (1819–1879), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
*
Avery Cardoza, American author, professional gambler and publisher
*
Avery Claflin (1898–1979), American composer who studied law and business and pursued a career in banking
*
Avery Clayton (1947–2009), American nonprofit executive, established a library and museum to house African American artefacts
*
Avery Corman (born 1935), American novelist
*
Elisha Avery Crary (1905–1978), United States District Judge of the United States District Court
*
Avery Craven (1885–1980), American historian who wrote about the nineteenth-century United States
*
Avery Dulles
Avery Robert Dulles ( ; August 24, 1918 – December 12, 2008) was an American Jesuit priest, theologian, and cardinal of the Catholic Church. Dulles served on the faculty of Woodstock College from 1960 to 1974, of the Catholic University of Amer ...
, S.J. (1918–2008), American Jesuit priest, theologian, and Cardinal of the Catholic Church
*
Avery E. Field (1883–1955), photographer in Riverside, California
*
Avery Fisher
Avery Robert Fisher (March 4, 1906 – February 26, 1994) was an amateur violinist, a pioneer in the field of high fidelity sound reproduction, founder of the Philharmonic Radio Company and Fisher Electronics, and a philanthropist who donated mi ...
(1906–1994), American businessman, founder of Fisher Electronics
*
Avery Garrett (1916–1988), American politician in the state of Washington
*
Avery Gilbert
Avery Gilbert is a self-described "smell scientist" and "sensory psychologist".
Early life and education
Gilbert received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Norman Adler.
Career
He is most known f ...
, American geneticist, self-described "smell scientist" and "sensory psychologist"
*
Avery Hopwood
James Avery Hopwood (May 28, 1882 – July 1, 1928) was an American playwright of the Jazz Age. He had four plays running simultaneously on Broadway in 1920, namely "The Gold Diggers," "The Bat" and "Spanish Love" and "Ladies' Night (In a ...
(1882–1928), American playwright of the Jazz Age
*
Richard Avery Hornsby, English military figure from the 18th century
*
Alan Avery Allen Horsley, British Anglican priest and author in the 20th century
*
Frank Avery Hutchins (1851–1914), American educator and librarian
*
Avery "Kid" Howard (1908–1966), American jazz trumpeter associated with the New Orleans jazz scene
*
Avery Jenkins
Avery Jenkins is an American professional disc golfer from Hinckley, Ohio. He is a former World Champion and three-time US distance champion. In 2016, Jenkins served as commentator for the inaugural Disc Golf World Tour
Jenkins grew up playin ...
(born 1978), American professional disc golfer
*
Avery John
Emery Avery John CM (born 18 June 1975) is a Trinidad and Tobago former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Career
Youth and College
John was born in Point Fortin. He attended Vessigny Government Secondary School and then Pre ...
CM (born 1975), Trinidadian soccer player
*
Avery Johnson
Avery DeWitt Johnson (born March 25, 1965) is an American basketball television commentator, former player and coach who previously served as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. He is an NBA and college basketball ana ...
(born 1965), American basketball coach
*
Frederick Avery Johnson (1833–1893), American politician and banker
*
Francis Avery Jones (1910–1998), Welsh physician and gastroenterologist
* Isaiah Avery "
Zay" Jones (born 1995), American football wide receiver
*
Avery Kay, United States Air Force colonel, designer of the A-10 Warthog
*
Avery Kier (1905–1987), United States Marine Corps aviator and general officer
*
G. Avery Lee (1916–2008), Southern Baptist and American Baptist preacher
*
Max Avery Lichtenstein, American record producer, composer and songwriter
*
Avery Lipman, American music industry executive
*
John Avery Lomax
John Avery Lomax (September 23, 1867 – January 26, 1948) was an American teacher, a pioneering musicologist, and a folklorist who did much for the preservation of American folk music. He was the father of Alan Lomax, John Lomax Jr. and Bess ...
(1867–1948), American teacher, a pioneering musicologist and folklorist
*
Elias Avery Lowe (1879–1969), Lithuanian–American palaeographer
*
C. Avery Mason (1904–1970), bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
*
Gerald Avery Mays (1939–1994), American football player and defensive lineman
*
Edward Avery McIlhenny (1872–1949), American businessman, explorer, bird bander and conservationist
*
John Avery McIlhenny (1867–1942), American businessman, soldier, politician and public servant
*
Avery Bryan Morris (born 1987), American professional baseball pitcher
*
Avery Moss (born 1994), American football outside linebacker
*
Avery Ng (born 1976), Hong Kong politician and social activist
*
Avery Paraiso (born 1994), Filipino-Irish commercial model and actor
*
Avery Parrish (1917–1959), American jazz pianist, composer and arranger
*
Avery Patterson, American football safety
*
Harry Avery Reid (1877–1947), British veterinarian, bacteriologist and pathologist
*
Avery Robinson (1878–1965), American classical composer
*
Avery Rockefeller (1903–1986), American investment banker and conservationist
*
Percy Avery Rockefeller
Percy Avery Rockefeller (February 27, 1878 — September 25, 1934) was a board director who founded and was vice president of Owenoke Corporation. He was a son of American Businessman William Avery Rockefeller Jr. and a nephew of Standard Oil co ...
(1878–1934), American board director, founder of Owenoke Corporation
*
William Avery Rockefeller (1810–1906), American businessman, lumberman and salesman
*
Michael Avery Ross (born 1961), American businessman and politician
*
Avery Saltzman
Avery Saltzman (born June 17, 1956) is a Canadian actor and theater director. He is artistic director of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre. Saltzman was born and raised in Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the lar ...
, Canadian actor and theater director
*
Avery Scharer (born 1986), Filipino-American professional basketball player
*
Avery Schreiber
Avery Lawrence Schreiber (April 9, 1935 – January 7, 2002) was an American actor and comedian. He was a veteran of stage, television, and movies who came to prominence in the 1960s in a comedy duo with Jack Burns. He acted in an array of roles ...
(1935–2002), American comedian and actor
*
Avery W. Severance (1819–1874), American farmer and politician from New York
*
Avery Sharpe (born 1954), American jazz double-bassist
*
Avery Judd Skilton
Avery Judd Skilton M.D. (February 1, 1802 – March 22, 1858) was an American physician and naturalist who practiced medicine in Troy, New York, for 30 years. He was also a curator at the Troy Lyceum of Natural History, studying mineralogy, geol ...
(1802–1858), American physician and naturalist
*
Avery Skinner (1796–1876), American politician from New York
*
Avery Stafford (born 1965), gospel and R&B vocalist from the United States
*
Avery Storm
Ralph Di Stasio (born December 5, 1976), better known by his stage name Avery Storm, is an American singer from Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside Nelly on Rick Ross' 2008 single " Here I Am," which peaked ...
(born 1981), American R&B singer
*
Earl Avery Thompson
Earl Avery Thompson (July 1, 1891 – April 20, 1967) was an American engineer and inventor who had a goal to make driving the automobile safer by reducing the effort required to shift the manual transmission of the day. Thompson even wanted to au ...
(1891–1967), American engineer and inventor
*
Avery Trufelman
Avery Trufelman is a podcaster and radio producer. She is best known for her work on ''99% Invisible'' (2013–2020) and its spin-off, ''Articles of Interest'' (2018–present).
Background
Avery was born into a "radio family" of two WNYC produce ...
, American podcaster and radio producer
*
Avery C. Upchurch (1928–1994), American politician
*
Avery Warley
Avery Rochelle Warley-Talbert (born May 17, 1987), is an American professional basketball player. After playing college basketball for Liberty University, Warley-Talbert was signed by the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Associa ...
(born 1987), American professional basketball player
*
Avery Weems (born 1997), American baseball player
*
Avery Williams (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Avery Williamson (born 1992), American football linebacker
*
Avery Wilson
Avery Wilson (born July 18, 1995) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Wilson first gained notice as a contestant on season 3 of '' The Voice''. In 2015, he released "If I Have To", the first single from his debut album, which re ...
(born 1995), American singer-songwriter and dancer
*
Avery Young (born 1992), American football player
As a female name
*
Averie Bishop
Averie Bishop is a social activist who is the first Asian American woman to be crowned Miss Texas. Her work focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and she co-founded a nonprofit supporting educational access for underserved communities. Sh ...
, American businessperson, social media personality, and beauty pageant titleholder
*
Avery Bourne, Republican member, Illinois House of Representatives
*
Avery Jae Clemens, American model, transgender activist, social media influencer, and writer
*
Nicole Avery Cox, American actress and comedy writer
*
Avery Haines, Canadian television journalist
*
Avery Yale Kamila
Avery Yale Kamila is an American journalist/ food writer and community organizer in the state of Maine. Kamila is ranked by polling firm YouGov as one of The Most Popular Columnists in America,
Biography
Kamila was born in Westminster, Massach ...
, American journalist and community organizer
*
Avery Singer, American artist known for creating digitally assisted paintings
*
Avery Skinner, American volleyball player
Fictional characters
* Avery (エイプリー ''Eiburī''), a character in ''
Little Witch Academia
is a Japanese anime franchise created by Yoh Yoshinari and produced by Trigger. The original short film, directed by Yoshinari and written by Masahiko Otsuka, was released in theaters in March 2013 as part of the Young Animator T ...
'' anime TV series
* Avery, a character in the webcomic ''
Ozy and Millie''
* Avery, two characters appearing in video games and TV series of the ''
Pokémon
is a Japanese media franchise consisting of List of Pokémon video games, video games, Pokémon (TV series), animated series and List of Pokémon films, films, Pokémon Trading Card Game, a trading card game, and other related media. The fran ...
''
franchise
* Avery, a character in the novels ''
Two Boys Kissing'' and ''Ryan and Avery''
* Avery, a character in the ''
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U ...
'' TV series
* Avery, a character in the 2021 Netflix musical drama film ''
A Week Away''
* Avery Arable, Fern's brother in the 1952 children's novel ''
Charlotte's Web
''Charlotte's Web'' is a book of children's literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. It was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. It tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his frie ...
''
* Avery Brown, Murphy Brown's son and also Murphy's deceased mother, on the sitcom ''
Murphy Brown
''Murphy Brown'' is an American television sitcom created by Diane English that premiered on November 14, 1988, on CBS. The series stars Candice Bergen as the eponymous Murphy Brown, a famous investigative journalist and news presenter, news anch ...
''
*
Avery Bullock, in the animated TV series ''American Dad!'', voiced by Patrick Stewart
* Avery Silas Barkley, a character in the TV series ''
Nashville
Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
''
*
Avery Carrington, a real estate tycoon in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City''
*
Avery Bailey Clark, from the American television series ''The Young and the Restless''
* Avery Connor, a central character in the graphic novel ''
Wolverine & Elektra: The Redeemer''
* Avery Dixon, a central character in the 2019 novel ''
The Institute''
* Avery Kylie Grambs, a character in the ''
Inheritance Games'' novel series
* Avery Jennings, in the comedy television series ''
Dog with a Blog''
*
Avery Jessup, a romantic interest of Jack Donaghy in the sitcom TV series ''30 Rock''
*
Avery Johnson
Avery DeWitt Johnson (born March 25, 1965) is an American basketball television commentator, former player and coach who previously served as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. He is an NBA and college basketball ana ...
, a character from the ''Halo'' video game series
* Avery Keene, protagonist of
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Yvonne Abrams (; born December 9, 1973) is an American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, serving as minority leader from 2011 to 2017. A member ...
's ''
While Justice Sleeps: A Novel'' and its sequel, ''Rogue Justice: A Thriller''
*
Avery Ryan, Ph.D., FBI Deputy Director in the drama TV series ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation''
* Avery Simpson, a character from the western film
''The Villain'' (1979)
*
Laura Avery Sumner, from the CBS soap opera TV series ''Knots Landing''
* Avery Tolar, a character from 1993 film ''
The Firm
The FIRM is a brand of exercise videos and equipment currently owned by Gaiam. First released in 1986, the video series is best known for popularizing a hybrid of aerobic exercise and weight training.
History
In 1979, Anna Benson founded th ...
''
* Fitzroy Avery Vacker, a character from Shannon Messenger's ''
Keeper of the Lost Cities
''Keeper of the Lost Cities'' is an upper- middle-grade fantasy series by Shannon Messenger that has appeared on the ''New York Times'' Best Seller list for a total of ten weeks.
Plot summary
The protagonist of the series, Sophie, is a twel ...
'' novel series
References
External links
*
{{given name
English-language unisex given names
Given names originating from a surname
Masculine given names