What does the word “Ave” mean from the song Ave Maria?? (did I spell that correctly?) Anyone know the history on the song? Just curious… thanks. 
It means “hail” as in Hail Mary. It is a greeting. And of course the song is inspired by the prayer. Do you want more history than that?
What language is it? Also… when was it written - guesstimate?
I ask because we were thinking of naming our baby Ava Maria & my husband pointed out that people might think her name is Ave Maria… so we wondered about the song.
Perfect! Thank you! CM
I think that would be a beautiful name.
"Ave is a Latin term, used by the Romans as a salute, meaning ‘hail’.
The term was especially used to greet the Caesar or other authorities (such as the popular phrase Ave Caesar, Morituri te Salutant, “Hail, Caesar, those who will die salute you”, phrase supposed to have been used by Gladiators before a combat). The Vulgate version of the Annunciation translates the salute of the angel to Mary, Mother of Jesus as Ave Maria, gratia plena (“Hail Mary, full of grace”). Ave Maria is a Catholic Marian prayer that has inspired authors of religious music.
Fascist regimes during the 20th century also adopted the greeting. It was used during Nazi Germany in the direct German translation, heil."
Carol,
I am assuming that you are Catholic as you are in the Catholic Answers forum. If so, I am shaking my head in complete disbelief that any Catholic need ask such a basic question.
Did you “learn” your Faith sometime after 1965? Just asking.
There are quite a lot of Catholics who know no Latin, including those of the other Catholic Churches and converts. The teaching of basic Latin is ignored in parishes, so it does not surprise me that someone would have this question.
If one was raised learning prayers in the vernacular and never attended Latin classes, one might not know what Ave means. The only place I come across it in Latin texts is in the formula *Ave atque vale * (Hail and farewell).
I would guess that if you asked Catholics what *Ave * means, you might get a variety of responses. English rarely uses the word Hail anymore as a greeting; that might be part of the issue.
Yes… long after 1965 (wasn’t even born yet! ;)) I learned my faith from the fall of 2004 - until the spring of 2005. I was an Evangelical Christian who became Catholic this past Easter. (Latin was never spoken in my old church!) And although I’ve learned alot about the Catholic faith… it’s impossible to learn everything in such a short time, so I don’t feel silly asking such “basic questions.” Now I know.
Peace & Ave Maria!
CM
Good for you, Carol marie! After all we are here to seek “Catholic Answers”
May I also say Welcome Home.:clapping:
What a classy response to an incredibly rude comment
PreVatII;
How “christian” of you to respond with such “charity.” You really are quite “learned” in the ways of Christ. I’m sure all of us here can “learn” quite a lesson from your “remarks.”
Carol Marie;
Welcome home. Keep asking your questions.
If you have any questions about Latin, there are several people around here, including me, who will give you straight answers *without * nastiness.
I would tell you to ignore the occasional snipers and just have fun here, but you need no advice from me about that. 
Pax tecum. (Peace be with you.)
That’s Our Carol Marie! It was a rude comment but she handled it with God’s grace. :clapping:
Carol Marie,
I think that it would be a beautiful name too.
You could consider “Eva” as well.
“Ave” is the reversal of “Eva”, hence the beautiful catholic prayer/hymn from the 9th century:
Hail Star of the Ocean(Ave Maris Stella)
Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
God Bless,VC
hi i just wanted to say that my name is ave and people all the time compliment me and say my name is beautiful. i saw this post and wanted to make a comment, because maybe youve never met anyone named ave. although my names not ave maria. its a different middle name. but yeah alot of people often tell me my name is unique and people like it.
The song is the prayer “Hail Mary” in Latin set to music.
The entire Latin Hail Mary goes like this:
Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, and benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesu.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.