Ava \a-va\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Ava), is pronounced AY-vah. Of uncertain origin, probably German. Other possible sources are the Hebrew name Chava meaning "life" or "serpent", or from Latin "avis" meaning "bird". Also possibly a variant of Avis or Aveline, medieval given names. Saint Ava or Avia was a ninth-century abbess of Dinart in Hainault and a member of the Frankish royal family. In contemporary usage, some forms may be intended as phonetic variants of Eva and Evelyn. Made popular since the 1950s due to film actress Ava Gardner.
Ava has 7 variant forms: Avah, Avalee, Avelina, Aveline, Avelyn, Avis and Avlynn.
For more information, see also the related name Aviana.