Avalon
Avalon Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈæv.ə.ˌlɑn/
Meaning of Avalon: Avalon is the name of the mythical island of eternal rest and healing in Arthurian legend, where King Arthur was taken after his mortal wounding at the Battle of Camlann to be healed and await his destined return.
The name derives from the Celtic word for “apple”—Welsh and Breton abal, Old Irish aball—making Avalon “the Island of Apples.” In Celtic mythology, apple trees were associated with the otherworld and immortality, and the Isles of the Blessed in Celtic tradition were often fruitful western islands.
Avalon first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), where it is described as the place where Arthur’s sword Excalibur was forged and where Arthur was taken after his final battle.
What Does Avalon Mean? Origin & Etymology
Later medieval Arthurian texts elaborated Avalon as a realm of eternal beauty presided over by Morgan le Fay and nine enchanted sisters. Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset claimed in 1191 to have discovered Arthur and Guinevere’s graves on its grounds, asserting its identification with Avalon.
Avalon peaked in US SSA records in 2015, driven by the broader trend of Arthurian and fantasy-inspired names alongside Guinevere, Merlin, and Isolde. It ranks in the US top 600 today.
The name’s appeal combines mythological depth, a transparent and beautiful meaning, and a melodic four-syllable sound. For parents who value the Arthurian tradition or Celtic mythology, Avalon offers one of the most evocative place names in the entire Western mythological canon.
Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Avalon
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Avalon – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Avalon
What does Avalon mean?
How popular is Avalon?
Avalon ranked in the US top 1000 for girls by 2015. It draws parents who love Arthurian legend, Celtic mythology, and the ethereal apple-island imagery.
Is Avalon a girl or boy name?
Avalon is used almost exclusively as a feminine name, following the island-paradise tradition and the feminine associations of Celtic mythology.