Alvan
Alvan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Sublime, tall, or exalted.
Origin and history
Alvan is a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning sublime or exalted. It appears in the Old Testament as a son of Shobal. While historically used in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S., it is rarely given to American newborns today.
Popularity in the United States
1,101 babies in the United States have been named Alvan since 1880. It ranks #3588 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- MA (91.7 %)
- PA (8.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 162 |
| 1920-1930 | 300 |
| 1930-1940 | 186 |
| 1940-1950 | 158 |
| 1950-1960 | 101 |
| 1960-1970 | 49 |
| 1970-1980 | 46 |
| 1980-1990 | 27 |
| 1990-2000 | 13 |
| 2000-2010 | 44 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Alvan
- Alvan Clark: Astronomer, Telescope Maker
- Alvan Graham Clark: Astronomer, Optician
- Alvan Adams: Businessman, Entrepreneur
Nicknames
Al
Fun facts
- The name Alvan appears in Genesis 36:23 as an Edomite, the eldest son of Shobal.
- Alvan was notably borne by Alvan Clark, a prominent 19th-century American astronomer and telescope maker.