Avril

Avril is a given name in April usage, derived from the April season. It is especially associated with the Canadian singer Avril Lavigne (born 1984), whose global fame popularized the name internationally.

Etymology

Avril is the French form of April, the name of the fourth month of the year. The Latin root, aperio, means "to open" or "to uncover," referring to the re-opening of flowers in spring. While April has been used as a given name since the 1940s in English-speaking countries, Avril was already common in France before that, reflecting the Gallic linguistic tradition of using month names as personal names.

Notable Bearers

Besides Avril Lavigne, the name has been held by Avril Benoît, a Canadian radio personality; Avril Doyle, an Irish politician; British sprint runner Avril Bowring (born 1942); and Avril de Sainte-Croix (1855–1939), a French feminist and writer. In South Africa and the UK, it also serves as a surname.

Cultural Significance

Due to Avril Lavigne's “pop-punk” star status in the early 2000s, the name is often linked to youthful rebellion and Canadian red-hip celebrity culture.

• Meaning: French form of April
• Origin: French, Latin
• Type: First name (also surname)
• Usage regions: France, UK, Canada, South Africa