At one point DH and I both liked [name_u]Avery[/name_u] for a boy… but we were afraid it had gone to the girls. If you know an [name_u]Avery[/name_u], what gender are they?
I know one male [name_u]Avery[/name_u] about my age and a young female [name_u]Avery[/name_u] about 2.
Also, what exactly does “elf counsel” mean?
It’s a family name for me, I’ve seen it on a big mix of genders! I plan to use it as a middle name regardless of the gender of my child.
I’ve seen it listed as meaning ‘ruler of elves’ and ‘elf counsel’ means basically that.
My screen froze I meant to click ‘either’ not masculine! The first time I heard the name [name_u]Avery[/name_u] it was on a boy (the little brother in [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]’s [name_m]Web[/name_m]) and the only [name_u]Avery[/name_u]’s I know of here (UK) are boys but I know it’s much more popular on girls most other places 
I share your same experiences! I went to college with a man named [name_u]Avery[/name_u], but every other [name_u]Avery[/name_u] I’ve met was much younger than me and female, which is why it predominantly feels feminine to me.
I know only one [name_u]Avery[/name_u], who is female, and actually spells her name [name_f]Averie[/name_f]. I don’t know a lot of little kids though, and I know it’s exploded in popularity more recently. (The [name_f]Averie[/name_f] I know is college-age). I think it could work on either and voted for that, I actually prefer it for boys too but I know it’s much more common on girls currently. I see elf counsel as meaning like elves sharing their wisdom with the bearer of the name?
I looked up the ranking for [name_u]Avery[/name_u] in our state and it is certainly higher for girls. As handsome as I feel it would be on a boy, I can’t guarantee my son would agree.
I guess my confusion with the meaning of the name is that… elves aren’t real? Does elf mean something other than what I think?
I know multiple Averys (teenage and younger) and they’re all girls. However, I think it still works as a masculine name and would make a cool middle name for either gender!
I think if you’re worried about the feminine usage, [name_u]Avery[/name_u] as a middle name would be best.
I think it comes from a time when the mythology of elves was a lot more prevalent than it is today! The name [name_u]Griffin[/name_u] refers to a mythological lion/eagle hybrid and the name [name_m]Drake[/name_m] means dragon, there are a lot of names that refer to creatures that aren’t actually real. I think it’s a kind of cool, fantastical origin, actually.
Thank you for the explanation!
Avery is statistically more popular for girls, but it’s still pretty high up for boys! Definitely hasn’t ‘gone to the girls’ like [name_u]Madison[/name_u], etc has.
I know a 2 year old [name_u]Avery[/name_u], a little girl. But I think she was named after her grandfather.
I’ve met two [name_u]Avery[/name_u]’s and both are girls, but it is thoroughly unisex to me. I think that it is totally usable for a boy. Some people might assume girl if they see or hear it out of context, but when they are corrected/meet him it shouldn’t be a problem.
Also, I agree with @findemaxa13 about the meaning, and even though elves aren’t real, from the perspective of a fantasy lover it’s a cool meaning.
I love [name_u]Avery[/name_u] for a boy and don’t know any of any gender. I prefer it for a boy. It ultimately derives from [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] via medieval [name_u]French[/name_u], so I think it makes a handsome, cool-meets-traditional choice 
I know a woman named [name_u]Avery[/name_u], but I see it as more masculine regardless. It could work on either sex!
One of the few unisex names which sounds cooler on a boy, imo.
I’ve met SO many female Averys (almost as many Emmas and Avas!), but I like it better on a guy. It’s actually one of my favorite boy names!
Seriously, what is up the elves?!?
Yeah. 
Hit “hide vote” & do it again! 
I know so many girls named [name_u]Avery[/name_u] that I have a hard time picturing it on a boy. Not impossible but I can’t imagine it yet.