UK name, mostly boys
Avi
A masculine Hebrew name meaning "my father".
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.
Avi is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Avi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #592, with 64 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 68 births.
This profile covers 697 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 94% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 693 living people in the UK are called Avi. 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
- • Avi ranked #592 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 64 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 68 boys were registered as Avi.
- • About 693 living people in the UK are estimated to have Avi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 96.5% of Avi registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#592
2024
Births in 2024
64
Latest year
Peak year
2023
68 births
Estimated living
693
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Avi
In England and Wales birth records, Avi has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 96.5% of registrations are for boys and 3.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Avi registered for boys
- Ranked #592 in 2024
- 64 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (68 births)
Avi registered for girls
- Ranked #3,318 in 2024
- 7 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (7 births)
Meaning
What does Avi mean?
The given name Avi has its origins in the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew word "av," which means "father" or "ancestor." The name can be traced back to ancient Semitic cultures and the biblical era.
In the Hebrew Bible, the name Avi appears as a component in several compound names, such as Abijah (meaning "Yahweh is my father") and Abimelech (meaning "father of a king"). The name Avi itself is not mentioned as a standalone name in the Bible, but its linguistic roots are deeply embedded in the Hebrew language and cultural tradition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Avi can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. Avi ben Nachman, a Jewish scholar and sage from the 3rd century CE, is mentioned in the Talmud. He was known for his wisdom and contributions to Jewish law and tradition.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Avi. One prominent example is Avi Shlaim, an Israeli historian and professor born in 1945. He is known for his works on the Arab-Israeli conflict and has authored several influential books on the subject.
Another notable individual named Avi is Avi Arad, an Israeli-American businessman and former CEO of Marvel Studios. Born in 1948, Arad played a pivotal role in the development and success of several Marvel superhero films, including the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises.
In the world of literature, Avi is the pen name of Edward Irving Wortis, an American author of children's books born in 1937. He has written numerous acclaimed works, including the Newbery Medal-winning novel "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle."
Avi Cohen, an Israeli singer and songwriter born in 1956, is another notable figure with this name. He is known for his contributions to Israeli pop music and has released several successful albums throughout his career.
Finally, Avi Lerner, an Israeli-American film producer born in 1947, has made significant contributions to the film industry. He is the co-founder of Nu Image and Millennium Films, two prominent production companies responsible for various action and thriller movies.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Avi, reflecting its enduring presence and cultural significance across various fields and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Avi over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Avi in England and Wales, from 1996 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 Avi, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 64 births in 2024, compared with 68 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Avi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Avi 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 | #700 | 254 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1001 | 302 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1636 | 119 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1963 | 22 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Avi
-
Avi Shlaim
writer; historian
Israeli-British historian (born 1945)
1945-
Related
Names similar to Avi
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Avi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Avi in the UK right now?
In 2024, Avi was ranked #592 for boys in England and Wales, with 64 births registered.
When was Avi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 68 babies registered as Avi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Avi?
A masculine Hebrew name meaning "my father".
How many people are called Avi in the UK?
A total of 697 babies have been registered as Avi across the 29 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.