The name Avril originates from the French word for the month of April, "avril". It can be traced back to the Latin word "aperire", which means "to open", referring to the opening of buds and flowers during the spring season.

The name Avril has been used since the Middle Ages, with some of the earliest recorded uses dating back to the 13th century in France. It was a popular name among the French nobility during this time period.

In medieval French literature, the name Avril is mentioned in several works, such as the Roman de la Rose, a 13th-century allegorical dream poem. The name was often associated with the themes of renewal, rebirth, and the arrival of spring.

One of the earliest recorded individuals named Avril was Avril de Pisseleu, a French noblewoman and mistress of King Francis I of France in the 16th century. She lived from around 1499 to 1577.

During the Renaissance period, the name Avril became more widespread across Europe, particularly in France and England. It was sometimes used as a masculine name as well, with variants like Avrill or Averill.

In the 18th century, Avril-Philippine-Lenor de Romilly, Madame de Souza, was a French novelist and salonnière who lived from 1761 to 1836. Her works were well-regarded in literary circles of the time.

Another notable figure with the name Avril was Avril Phaedra Douglas Campbell, better known as Avril Anriou, a British writer and artist who lived from 1909 to 1990. She was known for her surrealist works and her involvement in the Bloomsbury Group.

In the 20th century, the name Avril gained popularity as a feminine given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. One of the most famous individuals with this name is the Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, born in 1984.

Another notable Avril was Avril Henry, an Australian author and journalist who lived from 1936 to 2018. She was known for her works on Australian history and culture.