Find out how popular the first name Avory has been for the last 34 years (from 1991 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Avory by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Avory is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 58% of people named Avory being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 17 female babies and 8 male babies born with the name Avory.

The history of the first name Avory

The given name Avory has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically Old English and Old Norse. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "afora," which means "favored" or "beloved," and the Old Norse word "áfr," meaning "elf" or "supernatural being." The name was likely coined during the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, between the 5th and 11th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Avory can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions an individual named "Avorus" who held land in Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon population before the Norman Conquest.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Avory was relatively uncommon but appeared sporadically in various historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Avory de Chastillon, a French nobleman who fought in the Third Crusade (1189-1192) under King Richard I of England.

In the 14th century, an English scholar and theologian named Avory of Metz gained recognition for his writings on philosophy and logic. He was born around 1300 and taught at the University of Paris.

During the Renaissance period, the name Avory appeared in several works of literature. In William Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," one of the characters is named Avory Shallow, a cousin of Justice Shallow.

In the 18th century, Avory Menzies was a Scottish botanist and plant collector who made significant contributions to the study of Australian flora. He was born in 1763 and served as a naval surgeon before embarking on his botanical expeditions.

Another notable bearer of the name was Avory Dunagan, an American soldier and politician who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He was born in 1818 in Tennessee and later became a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

While the name Avory has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds and professions, reflecting its enduring appeal and timeless quality.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Avory was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Avory, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!