Alva
Alva is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Elf, sublime, or his highness.
Origin and history
Alva is a historic name with roots in multiple traditions, including an Old Norse masculine name meaning 'elf' and a biblical Hebrew name meaning 'his highness'. In the United States, it was popular for boys around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly inspired by Thomas Alva Edison. While historically common as a male name, its usage in modern times has become extremely rare.
Popularity in the United States
11,269 babies in the United States have been named Alva since 1880. It ranks #1117 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1878.
States where it is most popular
- OH (10.7 %)
- OK (10 %)
- MO (9.7 %)
- TX (8.7 %)
- IN (7.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 663 |
| 1890-1900 | 689 |
| 1900-1910 | 575 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,978 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,551 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,681 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,216 |
| 1950-1960 | 717 |
| 1960-1970 | 479 |
| 1970-1980 | 292 |
| 1980-1990 | 158 |
| 1990-2000 | 104 |
| 2000-2010 | 52 |
| 2010-2019 | 65 |
| 2020-2029 | 49 |
Famous people named Alva
- Alva Belmont: Suffragist, Socialite
- Alva J. Fisher: Inventor, Engineer
Fun facts
- American inventor Thomas Alva Edison helped boost the name's visibility in the late 19th century.
- Alva developed independently in Old Norse as an 'elf' name and in Hebrew as a biblical name.