In most European languages (German, French, Italian, as well as the Scandinavian languages) this name is pronounced as Ah-vah (like in Ave Maria). Probably because the pronunciation in Greek in Latin is also Ah-vah.The name is a derived (Germanic form) from the Hebrew name Chawah/Chava, meaning -bringer of- life. It's also a popular girls name in Iran (also pronounced as Ah-vah).