Avery is traditionally a male given name which was originally an Old English surname that was itself derived from an

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligi ...

pronunciation of the name Alfred or the

Ancient Germanic The Germanic peoples were historical groups of people that once occupied Central Europe and Scandinavia during antiquity and into the early Middle Ages. Since the 19th century, they have traditionally been defined by the use of ancient and ear ...

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 name ...

. The name is derived from the Old English words ''aelf'', meaning ''

elf An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes "ligh ...

'', and ''ric'', meaning ''power/mighty/king/ruler'' and dates back to the 16th century.

Regional variations

Europe

Avery is originally a boys' name in England, France and Germany and dates back to the 16th century when it was modified from Alfred. The feminine form is rare in European countries but where found is usually used with the feminine alternative spelling Averie/Averi.

America

In 1989 Americans started using the name for girls and it is sometimes used with the feminine alternative spelling Averie/Averi. The name is now more popular for girls in the US and Canada.

Notable men with the given 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 August Avery August (born January 31, 1966) is a Belizean-born American scientist who is currently a professor of immunology and vice provost at Cornell University. Education Avery August was born in Belize City, Belize. August attended government pr ...

(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 Avery Antonio Bradley Jr. (born November 26, 1990) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns befor ...

(born 1990), American professional basketball player *

Avery Brooks Avery Franklin Brooks (born October 2, 1948) is an American actor, director, singer, narrator and educator. He is best known for his television roles as Captain Benjamin Sisko on ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', as Hawk on '' Spenser: For Hire'' ...

(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 an American sports administrator who served as the fifth president of the International Olympic Committee from 1952 to 1972. The only American and only non-European to attain that p ...

(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 Avery Cardoza is an American author, professional gambler, and publisher. Cardoza is the owner of the Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish language, Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the List of United States cities ...

, American author, professional gambler and publisher *

Avery Claflin Avery Claflin (January 21, 1898 - January 9, 1979) was an American composer, although he studied law and business, later pursuing a career in banking. He served as president for the French American Banking Corp. He took music courses at Harvard ...

(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 Avery Corman (born November 28, 1935)"Avery Corman." ''Contemporary Authors Online''. 2015. Gale. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, 2019-04-14. is an American novelist. He is known for the books ''Oh, God!'' (1971) and ''Kramer Ver ...

(born 1935), American novelist *

Elisha Avery Crary Elisha Avery Crary (June 24, 1905 – April 28, 1978) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Ed ...

(1905–1978), United States District Judge of the United States District Court *

Avery Craven Avery Odelle Craven (August 12, 1885 – January 21, 1980) was an American historian who wrote extensively about the nineteenth-century United States, the American Civil War and Congressional Reconstruction from a then-revisionist viewpoint sy ...

(1885–1980), American historian who wrote about the nineteenth-century United States *

Avery Dulles Avery Robert Dulles (; 1918–2008) 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 America from 1974 to 1988, an ...

, 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 m ...

(1906–1994), American businessman, founder of Fisher Electronics *

Avery Garrett Avery Garrett (August 3, 1916 – April 15, 1988) was an American politician in the state of Washington. He served as Mayor of Renton from 1969 to 1976. He also served in the Washington House of Representatives The Washington House of Repr ...

(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. Early life Hopwood was born to James and Jule Pendergast Hopwood on May 28, 188 ...

(1882–1928), American playwright of the Jazz Age *

Richard Avery Hornsby Captain Richard Avery Hornsby (died 1818) was an 18th-century British military figure, famous for successfully taking on a boat full of French pirates in 1744. Biography Hornsby lived on Vine Street in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, at the time of ...

, English military figure from the 18th century *

Alan Avery Allen Horsley Alan Avery Allen Horsley is a retired Anglican priest and author in the 20th century. He was born on 13 May 1936, educated at St Chad's College, Durham and Queen's College, Edgbaston and ordained in 1961. His first posts were curacies in Dave ...

, British Anglican priest and author in the 20th century *

Frank Avery Hutchins Frank Avery Hutchins (March 8, 1851 – January 25, 1914) was an American educator and librarian. He was one of the founders of the Wisconsin Library Association and the Wisconsin Free Library Commission. Early life Hutchins was born on Marc ...

(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 playing ...

(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 ntillesGovernment Secondary School and t ...

CM (born 1975), Trinidadian soccer player *

Avery Johnson Avery DeWitt Johnson (born March 25, 1965) is an American basketball television commentator and former player and coach who most recently served as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. He is currently an NBA and college ...

(born 1965), American basketball coach *

Frederick Avery Johnson Frederick Avery Johnson (January 2, 1833 – July 17, 1893) was an American politician and banker who served a U.S. Representative from New York from 1883 to 1887. He was a member of the Republican Party and a resident of Glens Falls, New York. ...

(1833–1893), American politician and banker *

Francis Avery Jones Sir Francis Avery Jones CBE FRCP MRCS (31 May 1910 – 30 April 1998) was a Welsh physician and gastroenterologist. He was born in Briton Ferry, Carmarthenshire, Wales but educated at the Sir John Leman High School, Beccles, Suffolk and at St B ...

(1910–1998), Welsh physician and gastroenterologist * Isaiah Avery Jones (born 1995), American football wide receiver *

Avery Kay Colonel Avery Kay, USAF, was a United States Air Force officer and Master Navigator best known for being the principal advocate of the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft. Born on October 29, 1919, Colonel Kay joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as it trans ...

, United States Air Force colonel, designer of the A-10 Warthog *

Avery Kier Avery Raymond Kier (February 11, 1905 – August 7, 1987) was a United States Marine Corps aviator and general officer. During World War II he served as the commanding officer of VMSB-234 and towards the end of the war was a pioneer in the d ...

(1905–1987), United States Marine Corps aviator and general officer *

G. Avery Lee George Avery Lee Sr. (1916 – 2008 December 23 in Lake Charles, Louisiana) was a Southern Baptist and from 2001 onward, an American Baptist preacher. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (baccalaureate degree, 1958) and Yale Divinity Sc ...

(1916–2008), Southern Baptist and American Baptist preacher *

Max Avery Lichtenstein Max Avery Lichtenstein is an American record producer, composer and songwriter based in North Salem, New York. He's produced records with such artists as Mercury Rev, Hopewell (band), Hopewell and The Silent League. He composed the soundtrack for J ...

, 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 L ...

(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 Edward Avery McIlhenny (March 29, 1872 – August 8, 1949), son of Tabasco brand pepper sauce tycoon Edmund McIlhenny, was an American businessman, explorer, bird bander and conservationist. He established a private wildlife refuge around his ...

(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 Avery Moss (born September 16, 1994) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Nebraska and Youngstown State, and was selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Early year Moss play ...

(born 1994), American football outside linebacker *

Avery Ng Avery Ng Man-yuen (; born 27 December 1976) is a Hong Kong politician and social activist. He is the chairman of the League of Social Democrats (LSD), a pro-democracy radical social democratic party in Hong Kong. Biography Ng was born in Hong K ...

(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 Avery Patterson may refer to: * Avery Patterson (American football) (born 1991), American football safety * Avery Patterson (soccer) (born 2002), American soccer player {{hndis, Patterson, Avery ...

, American football safety *

Harry Avery Reid Lt Col Harry Avery Reid OBE FRSE FRCVS (1877 – 14 September 1947) was a 20th-century British military then government veterinarian, bacteriologist and pathologist who came to note as Director of Veterinary Services for New Zealand. Life He was ...

(1877–1947), British veterinarian, bacteriologist and pathologist *

Avery Robinson Avery Robinson (January 21, 1878 – May 11, 1965 ) was an American classical composer who worked with, among others, Roland Hayes and Paul Robeson. Biography Avery Robinson was born on January 21, 1878, in Louisville, Kentucky. His father was ...

(1878–1965), American classical composer * Avery Rockefeller (1903–1986), American investment banker and conservationist * Percy Avery Rockefeller (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 17 June, 1956), is a Canadian actor and theater director. He is artistic director of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre The Harold Green Jewish Theatre is a professional theatre company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The artis ...

, Canadian actor and theater director *

Avery Scharer Avery Roberto Scharer (born August 23, 1986), is a Filipino- American professional basketball player. Early life Scharer was born in Seattle, and is of half-African American and Filipino descent. His father is an African-American, while his mothe ...

(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 Avery W. Severance (February 23, 1819 – February 15, 1874) was an American farmer and politician from New York. Life He was born on February 23, 1819, in New Haven, Oswego County, New York, the son of Seth Severance (1787–1856) and Abigail S. ...

(1819–1874), American farmer and politician from New York *

Avery Sharpe Avery Sharpe (born August 23, 1954) is an American jazz double-bassist, electric bassist, composer, educator and founder of the artist-owned record label, JKNM Records. Sharpe has a distinguished percussive and rhythmic approach on double bass. ...

(born 1954), American jazz double-bassist * Avery Judd Skilton (1802–1858), American physician and naturalist *

Avery Skinner Avery Skinner (June 9, 1796 – November 24, 1876) was an American politician from New York. Life He was born on June 9, 1796, in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, the son of Timothy Skinner and Ruth (Warner) Skinner. In 1816, he re ...

(1796–1876), American politician from New York * Avery Stafford (born 1965), gospel and R&B vocalist from the United States * Avery Storm (born 1981), American R&B singer * Earl Avery Thompson (1891–1967), American engineer and inventor *

Avery Trufelman Avery Trufelman is an American podcaster and radio producer best known for her work on '' 99% Invisible'' (2013–2020) and its spin-off, ''Articles of Interest'' (2018–present). Background Born into a "radio family" of two WNYC producers, Tr ...

, American podcaster and radio producer *

Avery C. Upchurch Avery Council Upchurch (December 22, 1928 – June 30, 1994) was Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from 1983 to 1993. His term in office was the longest of any mayor of Raleigh in the 20th century and corresponded to a period of rapid growth of ...

(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 WNBA as an undrafted free agent i ...

(born 1987), American professional basketball 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 and dancer. Wilson gained notice in 2012 as a contestant on season 3 of ''The Voice''. Since then, he has been making duets with his fans on Smule Sing! as @AveryWilson. Prior t ...

(born 1995), American singer-songwriter and dancer *

Avery Young Avery Young (born November 12, 1992) is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Auburn, and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He is also the younger brothe ...

(born 1992), American football player

Fictional male characters

*Avery, a Death Eater from the ''

Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students a ...

'' series *Avery Brown, Murphy Brown's son; 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 anchor for ''FYI'', ...

'' *

Avery Bullock This article lists characters from the animated sitcom, animated series ''American Dad!''. Voice cast The voice acting, voice actors are not assembled as a group when performing the lines of their characters; rather, each of the voice actor ...

, in the TV show ''American Dad!'', voiced by Patrick Stewart *Avery Silas Barkley, a character in the ABC prime time drama ''

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and t ...

'' * Avery Carrington, a real estate tycoon in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' *Avery Connor, a central character in Yoshitaka Amano and Greg Rucka's graphic novel '' Wolverine & Elektra: The Redeemer'' *Avery Johnson, a character from the ''Halo'' series *Avery Arable, Fern's brother in the book ''

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. The novel tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his ...

'' by E. B. White *Avery Dixon, a central character in the Stephen King novel '' The Institute'' *Avery Tolar, a character from 1993 film '' The Firm'' *Fitzroy Avery Vacker, a character from Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities book series

Notable women with the given name

* Avery Bourne, Republican member, Illinois House of Representatives * Nicole Avery Cox, American actress and comedy writer *

Avery Haines Avery Hayward Haines (born 28 November 1966) is an American-born, Canadian television journalist, and currently Managing Editor, Investigative Journalist, and Host of Canada's longest-running and most-watched CTV newsmagazine series '' W5''. C ...

, Canadian television journalist *

Avery Yale Kamila Avery Yale Kamila is an American journalist, vegan columnist and community organizer in the state of Maine. Biography Kamila was born in Westminster, Massachusetts in the 1970s and grew up on an organic farm in Litchfield, Maine. Kamila adopte ...

, American journalist and community organizer *

Avery Singer Avery Singer (born 1987) is an American artist known for creating digitally assisted paintings created through 3D modeling software and computer-controlled airbrushing. Early life and education Singer was born to artists Janet Kusmierski and Gr ...

, American artist known for creating digitally assisted paintings *

, American volleyball player

Fictional female characters

Avery Bailey Clark Avery Bailey Clark is a fictional character from the American CBS Daytime soap opera, '' The Young and the Restless'', portrayed by actress Jessica Collins. She made her appearance as Avery on July 27, 2011, as a high-class attorney. Avery first c ...

, character from the American CBS Daytime soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' * Avery Jennings, character in the TV comedy ''

Dog with a Blog ''Dog with a Blog'' is an American comedy television series that aired on Disney Channel from October 12, 2012 to September 25, 2015. The series stars G Hannelius, Blake Michael, Francesca Capaldi, Regan Burns, and Beth Littleford, and also f ...

'' *

Avery Jessup ''30 Rock'' is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey, which aired on NBC. The series takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy series, also airing on NBC; the name "30 Rock" refers to the address of the ...

, the wife of Jack Donaghy in the sitcom ''30 Rock'' * Avery Ryan, Ph.D., FBI Deputy Director in the drama series ''CSI'' *

Laura Avery Sumner Laura Avery Sumner (maiden name Murphy) is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera ''Knots Landing'', a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was play ...

, character from the CBS soap opera ''Knots Landing''

References

{{Commons category-inline Masculine given names English-language unisex given names