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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Medieval English form of Avice (Hawise), from Germanic Hadwig, 'battle' and 'strife'; often linked to Latin 'avis' (bird)
- Origin
- Old French, from Germanic
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- AY-vis
Avis (AY-vis) is a medieval English form of Avice, also known as Hawise, an Old French name that grew out of the Germanic Hadwig, meaning 'battle' and 'strife'. It's often linked to the Latin word 'avis', meaning bird, which gives the name a lighter association alongside its fierce roots.
Meaning & Origin of Avis
Meaning: Medieval English form of Avice (Hawise), from Germanic Hadwig, 'battle' and 'strife'; often linked to Latin 'avis' (bird).
Origin: Old French, from Germanic.
How to Pronounce Avis
AY-visIPA /ˈeɪvɪs/
Popularity of Avis
Avis peaked at #238 in 1912, when 358 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #8992, with just 11 babies, so a child named Avis today would be very unlikely to share the name with a classmate.
Names Like Avis
These names have followed a similar path to Avis in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Avis mean?
Medieval English form of Avice (Hawise), from Germanic Hadwig, ‘battle’ and ‘strife’; often linked to Latin ‘avis’ (bird).
How do you pronounce Avis?
Avis is pronounced AY-vis (IPA: /ˈeɪvɪs/).
Is Avis a popular name right now?
Avis peaked at #238 in 1912 and is ranked #8992 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
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