Ava in Chinese
Ava in Chinese is 艾娃 (Ài Wá).
- Origin
- Latin/Germanic
- Meaning
- life; bird
Ava is a name of Latin/Germanic origin, generally understood to mean "life; bird". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Ava
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
艾娃
Ài Wá
The standard transliteration of Ava: 艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)"), 娃 (wá, "baby, child; pretty girl"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 艾 (ài) carries "a", 娃 (wá) carries "va". The tone contour is 4-2 (falling, rising).
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 艾
ài
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
mugwort; beautiful (classical)
- 娃
wá
Tone 2 · 9 strokes (simplified)
baby, child; pretty girl
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
春华
Chūn Huá
Inspired by "life; bird": 春 (chūn, "spring") + 华 (huá, "splendid, magnificent; China"), expressing youth and new life.
Why these characters?
春 (spring) answers the "life" in Ava's meaning, and 华 (splendid, magnificent; China) rounds it off as a typical ending for girls' names.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 春
chūn
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
spring
- 华
huá
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
splendid, magnificent; China
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
艾春
Ài Chūn
艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)") + 春 (chūn, "spring"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 艾 (ài), the same opening character as the transliteration 艾娃, for the "a" sound, and replaces the rest with 春 ("spring") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 艾
ài
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
mugwort; beautiful (classical)
- 春
chūn
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
spring
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Ava
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Ava ranked 8 among names recorded for girls, with 63,350 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 250,761 girls named Ava since 1880, with the high point in 2007 (18,047 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #954 to #3 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2007
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 250,761
More About Ava in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Ava offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Ava, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Amy in Chinese, Jasmine in Chinese, and Mary in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Allison in Chinese, Sara in Chinese, and Andrea in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Ava, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Ava to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ava in Chinese characters?
艾娃 (Ài Wá), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 艾娃 have?
15 strokes in simplified form; per character: 艾 6, 娃 9.
How popular is the name Ava?
US Social Security records show 250,761 girls named Ava since 1880, with the high point in 2007 (18,047 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #954 to #3 among girls.