Ava is a short and sweet name with multiple potential origins, including a Germanic root meaning water or island, or possibly derived from the Latin word avis meaning bird. It may also be a variant of Eve. Ava is extremely popular, especially in the United States, where it consistently ranks in the top ten for girls. It is also well-loved in Ireland, the UK, and Australia. Iconic actress Ava Gardner is a famous bearer of this elegant name.