This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: Name: Avery – Meaning: elf counsel, from Old English ælf ('elf') + ræd ('counsel') – Origin: Old English (via Anglo-Norman surname) – Gender: Neutral – Pronunciation: AY-vur-ee
Avery is a neutral name rooted in Old English, having come into use through an Anglo-Norman surname. Its actual meaning is 'elf counsel,' combining the Old English elements ælf ('elf') and ræd ('counsel') — not 'ruler of the elves,' a version that's often repeated but gets the second half wrong. It's pronounced AY-vur-ee.
Meaning & Origin of Avery
Meaning: Elf counsel, from old english ælf ('elf') + ræd ('counsel').
Origin: Old English (via Anglo-Norman surname).
A common claim: Avery is often said to mean 'ruler of the elves.' Actually: That's inaccurate — the Old English element ræd means 'counsel,' not 'ruler'; the actual meaning is 'elf counsel.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Avery
Phonetic: AY-vur-ee IPA: /ˈeɪvəri/
Popularity of Avery
Avery ranked #31 in 2024 with 5,632 babies given the name, down from its peak of #12 in 2013, when 9,185 babies received it.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Avery Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Avery, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Avery mean?
Elf counsel, from old english ælf (‘elf’) + ræd (‘counsel’). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Avery)
How do you pronounce Avery?
Avery is pronounced AY-vur-ee (IPA: /ˈeɪvəri/).
Is Avery a popular name right now?
Avery peaked at #12 in 2013 and is ranked #31 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Avery? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
🎨 Get Printable Name Art for Avery
Beautiful nursery-ready 8×10" print with name & meaning
Preview & Download →More Baby Name Inspiration
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
