Alvin
Alvin is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Noble friend or elf friend.
Origin and history
Alvin is an English name derived from Old English roots meaning noble friend or elf friend. It was widely popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a familiar classic. Today it carries a vintage charm with strong historical roots.
Popularity in the United States
161,414 babies in the United States have been named Alvin since 1880. It ranks #210 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #728.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.4 %)
- NY (6.7 %)
- CA (6.2 %)
- LA (6 %)
- PA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,256 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,667 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,484 |
| 1910-1920 | 15,499 |
| 1920-1930 | 26,872 |
| 1930-1940 | 21,484 |
| 1940-1950 | 20,719 |
| 1950-1960 | 23,087 |
| 1960-1970 | 14,509 |
| 1970-1980 | 8,677 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,474 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,908 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,240 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,535 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,003 |
Famous people named Alvin
- Alvin Ailey: Choreographer, Dancer
- Alvin York: Soldier
Nicknames
Al, Alvie
Fun facts
- Alvin developed from several Old English names ending in '-wine', which signifies a friend.
- The name gained global pop culture awareness through the animated characters Alvin and the Chipmunks, created in 1958.