What Does the Name Avery Mean?
Avery is a unisex name of Old English origin meaning “elf counsel.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Avery |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | Old English |
| Meaning | elf counsel |
| Variants | Averie, Averi, Aubrey, Alfred |
| Popularity | US Top 20 girls' name in the 2010s-2020s; rising as a unisex choice |
The meaning and origin of Avery
The name Avery means “elf counsel” and has Old English origins. An English surname derived from the Old English name Alfred (or Aubrey), combining elements meaning 'elf' and 'counsel'. Once chiefly male, it became a popular unisex and predominantly girls' name in modern America.
Variants and related names
Avery is related to several other names you may recognize: Averie, Averi, Aubrey, Alfred. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Avery?
US Top 20 girls' name in the 2010s-2020s; rising as a unisex choice
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Avery mean?+
The name Avery means “elf counsel” and is of Old English origin.
What is the origin of the name Avery?+
Avery originates from Old English.
Is Avery a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Avery has trended in the US over time.
Avery by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press