NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Aava

A feminine name of Finnish origin meaning "born at dawn".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Aava is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Aava popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 5 births.

This profile covers 31 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2007 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 31 living people in the UK are called Aava. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Aava ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 5 girls were registered as Aava.
  • About 31 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aava as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

5 births

Estimated living

31

2026

Meaning

What does Aava mean?

The name Aava is of Finnish origin, derived from the Finnish word "aava," which means "vast" or "open." It is believed to have been first used as a given name in the late 19th or early 20th century, reflecting the Finnish appreciation for the country's vast natural landscapes and open spaces.

Aava was a relatively uncommon name in Finland until the latter half of the 20th century when it gained popularity. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aava can be found in the Finnish author Aava Viljanen's writings from the early 1900s.

In ancient Finnish mythology, the name Aava is associated with the goddess of the open sea, who was revered for her power and vastness. This connection to the sea and the natural world may have contributed to the name's appeal among Finnish families.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Aava. One of the most famous was Aava Merikanto (1863-1946), a Finnish composer and pianist who played a significant role in the development of Finnish national music. Another notable Aava was Aava Murto (1916-2008), a Finnish politician who served as a member of the Finnish Parliament from 1962 to 1975.

In the field of literature, Aava Lilius (1923-2009) was a renowned Finnish author and playwright, known for her thought-provoking works that explored themes of identity, relationships, and societal issues. Aava Klami (1905-1983) was a Finnish artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her modern and abstract works, many of which can be found in public spaces and museums across Finland.

Aava Niitamo (1910-1997) was a Finnish architect who made significant contributions to the modernist architectural movement in Finland during the mid-20th century. Her designs were characterized by clean lines, functionality, and a harmonious integration with the natural surroundings.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Aava over time

The chart below shows babies named Aava registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Aava, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Aava
01345200720152024

Decades

Aava by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aava was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5174 11 3
2010s #4548 17 4
2000s #5201 3 1

Related

Names similar to Aava

FAQ

Aava: questions and answers

How popular is the name Aava in the UK right now?

In 2024, Aava was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Aava most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 5 babies registered as Aava in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Aava?

A feminine name of Finnish origin meaning "born at dawn".

How many people are called Aava in the UK?

A total of 31 babies have been registered as Aava across the 8 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.