The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Avis!

Comments and insights on the name Avis: | Edit

According to the baby name book "Cool Names" by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, Avis is 'uncool', while Ava is 'cool' and Avery is 'cooler'.

Personal experiences with the name Avis: | Edit

I just named my second daughter Avis. I think that it sounds smart, feminine, and somewhat mysterious. I love the fact that it hasn't been in the top 1000 names since the 60's. I feel that this name will continue to sound unique as my daughter gets older and will allow her to feel like a unique individual unlike all the Olivia's, Madeliene's, and Mackenzies out there. Her older sister's name is Vesper.

Nicknames for Avis: | Edit

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Meanings and history of the name Avis: | Edit

Avis is another version of the Norman, particularly Anglo-Norman, name Avice that was quite popular in the Essex period.

Avis means "opinion" or "advice" in French.

Avis is Latin for Bird

Avis is also cited to mean shelter in battle in the English language

Originally from Germanic hado ('shelter') + wig ('battle'). In German, it became Hedwig.

Famous real-life people named Avis: | Edit

Avice Landone, British TV and film actress
Avis Everhard, fictional narrator of Jack London's "The Iron Heel"
Avis Kimble, playboy playmate in 1961
Avis Miller, playboy playmate in 1970

Avis in song, story & screen: | Edit

Avis is a spell used in Harry Potter to call a flock of birds.
Avis was a character in The Guardian, a runaway young mother in foster care.