Alternatives to Avery

  1. Ivanna
    • Origin:

      Feminine of Ivan, which is itself a variation of John
    • Description:

      Ivanna / Ivana both come out of the name "John" by way of the Russian variant Ivan. Whereas Joanna feels dated, Ivanna feels cosmopolitan and fresh. Ivanka (of Trump fame) is a diminutive version of Ivanna.
  2. Ivory
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals; pale, white"
    • Description:

      Ivory was last popular a hundred years ago. In 2013, it finally began to regain some momentum in the female rankings, reentering the Top 1000.
  3. Ivy
    • Origin:

      Botanical name
    • Description:

      The quirky, offbeat and energetic botanical name Ivy is enjoying a deserved revival, propelled even higher by its choice by high-profile parents Beyonce and Jay-Z for daughter Blue Ivy. Ivy is also traditionally used at Christmas, make this one of the perfect names for December babies.
  4. Levy
    • Description:

      Levy as a feminine name represents a fresh, contemporary choice that's gaining attention in recent years. Originally a Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew tribe of Levi, whose members were assistants to priests in the Temple, it has been repurposed as a given name for girls. The name carries a light, airy quality with its short two-syllable structure and pleasant 'ee' ending sound. Levy for girls embodies a modern trend toward using surnames and traditionally masculine names for females. While still uncommon as a feminine name, it offers a blend of spiritual heritage and contemporary style. The name's brevity and friendly sound appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible, with potential nicknames like Lev or Levi providing flexibility.

  5. Lively
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "full of life, energy"
    • Description:

      Spirited and sassy, Lively could be a feminine leaning counterpart to the trending boy name Wilder. A modern virtue of sorts, it has more energy that Patience, Prudence, and Temperance, and is far less popular than Hope or Grace.
  6. Lovely
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "exquisitely beautiful"
    • Description:

      Word names are often genderless, but Lovely feels particularly feminine (cue Isn't She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder). Chris Brown chose this name for his daughter, born in 2022, which may give the name a boost.
  7. Marvely
    • Description:

      Marvely is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a modern coinage, possibly derived from the word "marvelous" or constructed as a creative blend of Marvel and the feminine suffix -ly. This distinctive name has no widespread historical usage, making it a truly unique choice. Marvely carries connotations of wonder, amazement, and extraordinariness through its connection to the word "marvel." The name has a contemporary, invented quality that appeals to parents seeking something genuinely unusual with a positive meaning. With its distinctive sound and memorable quality, Marvely stands out as a name choice that balances uniqueness with a relatively intuitive pronunciation and spelling pattern.

  8. Mavery
    • Description:

      Mavery is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative blend of popular elements, possibly combining the trendy 'Mav-' prefix (as in Maverick) with endings like Avery or Emery. This inventive name represents the contemporary trend of creating fresh-sounding names by merging familiar elements. Mavery has a rhythmic quality and contemporary feel while remaining distinctly feminine. The name first began appearing in usage data in the early 2010s, coinciding with the rise of similar-sounding names. While still relatively uncommon, Mavery appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name projects a sense of independence and originality without being difficult to pronounce or spell, balancing uniqueness with practicality.

  9. Navy
    • Origin:

      English, word name
    • Meaning:

      "fleet of ships; sea-based branch of the armed forces; dark blue"
    • Description:

      When R & B singer Nivea made this highly original choice for her daughter's name back in 2005, she claimed to have thought of it in terms of the color and not the seagoing armed service. As a word with multiple meanings, however, it could easily work as a nod to a naval officer in the family or to someone who enjoys sailing.
  10. Olivia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"
    • Description:

      Olivia, a lovely Shakespearean name with an admirable balance of strength and femininity, is the Number 1 name for baby girls in the US and one of the top girls' names around the world.
  11. Reese
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "ardor"
    • Description:

      The sassy, steel magnolia appeal of Oscar-winning Reese (born Laura Jeanne—Reese is her mother's maiden name) Witherspoon has single-handedly propelled this formerly boys’ name into girls' popularity.
  12. Riverly
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "river meadow"
    • Description:

      A rarer spin on River or Everly, using one of the most popular name endings of the moment.
  13. Savvy
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      We call Savvy a Modern Virtue Name, a contemporary version of the Puritan's Hope and Charity, extolling the virtue of shrewdness. And who doesn't want their daughter to grow up to be Savvy in the ways of the world? So far, this name has been used only for girls, perhaps because some parents remember the women's magazine called Savvy.
  14. Tavy
    • Description:

      Tavy is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the River Tavy in Devon, England, giving it nature-inspired roots. Alternatively, it could be a diminutive of Octavia, meaning "eighth," or a variation of Davina, meaning "beloved." Tavy has a playful, contemporary sound with its two syllables and 'y' ending, making it both easy to pronounce and distinctive. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, the name has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries. Its brevity and friendly sound give it a modern appeal, while potential connections to place names or classical roots provide depth. Tavy works well for parents seeking something short, sweet, and slightly unusual.
  15. Valery
    • Origin:

      Variation of Valerie, French
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      Valery was in the Top 1000 from 2005 to 2009, and reemerged in 2018. This spelling is often used among Hispanic families in the US.
  16. Verily
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "truly"
    • Description:

      A quaint and poetic English word meaning "truly", which could easily make the switch to baby name usage, given its similarity to sophisticated vintage names like Verity and Cecily.
  17. Verity
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      If you love Puritan virtue names and want to move beyond Hope and Faith and Grace, this is a wonderful choice, both for its meaning and its sound. A rare find here, though occasionally heard in England. It was used in Winston Graham's Poldark novels, was Madonna's name as James Bond's fencing instructor in Die Another Day, and made a brief appearance in Harry Potter. Not to mention being a fixture on British and Australian soaps. Verity also appears in one of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries.
  18. Victory
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor.
  19. Viola
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "violet"
    • Description:

      Viola has plenty of positive elements going for it: the rhythm of the musical instrument, the association with the flower, the trending 'Vi' beginning and its leading role in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. With a touch of international flair, it also avoids the violent/Violet some parents have.
  20. Violet
    • Origin:

      English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "purple"
    • Description:

      Violet is soft and sweet, yet with a vivacious edge. Today, Violet is the top flower name for girls, outranking Lily and Iris in the Top 100, and the second most popular color name for girls after Scarlett.