A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Avon since 1893
Babies named Avon per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Avon's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 | 22 |
| 1910s | 49 | 115 |
| 1920s | 126 | 229 |
| 1930s | 120 | 213 |
| 1940s | 146 | 211 |
| 1950s | 158 | 199 |
| 1960s | 58 | 111 |
| 1970s | 20 | 87 |
| 1980s | 12 | 88 |
| 1990s | 11 | 38 |
| 2000s | 0 | 87 |
| 2010s | 0 | 127 |
| 2020s | 0 | 108 |
Meaning & origin
Avon is a rare masculine name of Celtic origin, meaning simply 'river'. It was first recorded in the United States in 1893, which also stands as its peak year of usage, with a rank of 5,208. After a long period of disuse, the name has been rising again since 1999, though it remains uncommon: in the latest year (2025), its frequency was about 1 in 94,893. The name's revival may be linked to a broader trend of nature-inspired and traditional Celtic names. Avon has not been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state, reflecting its scattered, low-level use. As a given name, Avon carries a simple, geographic elegance, though it is perhaps best known as a surname or as the brand name of a cosmetics company.
Avon derives from the Celtic word 'abona' meaning 'river'. It has been used as a given name in English-speaking countries, inspired by several rivers named Avon in Britain. The name gained some popularity in the late 19th century, possibly due to literary associations.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ave
Sibling names for Avon
Names that share Avon's style, for a brother or sister.
