Avril
Primarily a girl's name of French origin with 3,371 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from French, equivalent to English April.
Avril is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, the French word for April, the fourth month, from the Latin Aprilis — possibly related to the Etruscan god Apru (Aphrodite) or the Latin aperire (to open, as flowers open in spring). The French form gives it a romantic, Continental elegance the English 'April' lacks.
About 3,371 U.S. births are recorded. Avril Lavigne — the Canadian rock star — was the name's most visible bearer in the 2000s, giving Avril a punk-pop energy alongside its inherent French softness.
EtymologyShow more
Though Avril dates back to 1919 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The French classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Avril’s 3,371 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Avril was #1577 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1847, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 543 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,233 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 950 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 98 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 121 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 154 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 93 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 50 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 28 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 21 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 75 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | — |
The Story of Avril
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2008, Avril is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Avril are most likely born between 1998 and 2018.
How rare is Avril?
Only about 1 in every 33,333 babies born in 2024 was named Avril — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1919, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 1,233 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Avril by the numbers
- Would fill 70 school buses
- Meeting one Avril per day would take 9.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(88 years, 1919–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 108 | #1847 |
| 2023 | 111 | #1814 |
| 2022 | 111 | #1828 |
| 2021 | 106 | #1874 |
| 2020 | 107 | #1831 |
| 2019 | 127 | #1656 |
| 2018 | 115 | #1775 |
| 2017 | 112 | #1833 |
| 2016 | 124 | #1714 |
| 2015 | 129 | #1659 |
| 2014 | 102 | #1958 |
| 2013 | 111 | #1826 |
| 2012 | 136 | #1592 |
| 2011 | 144 | #1525 |
| 2010 | 133 | #1622 |
| 2009 | 120 | #1794 |
| 2008 | 155 | #1504 |
| 2007 | 154 | #1505 |
| 2006 | 100 | #1990 |
| 2005 | 119 | #1671 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Avril as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Avril has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avril a boy's or girl's name?
When was Avril most popular?
How popular is the name Avril?
Can Avril be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1919–2024