Holding steady.
Popularity of Alf since 1880
Babies named Alf per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alf's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 84 |
| 1890s | 78 |
| 1900s | 83 |
| 1910s | 270 |
| 1920s | 231 |
| 1930s | 157 |
| 1940s | 88 |
| 1950s | 65 |
| 1960s | 42 |
| 1970s | 32 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Alf is a short, sturdy name that enjoyed a brief moment of popularity in the 1880s. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in 1883, but it has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. The name's trajectory has been remarkably stable, with zero recorded births in recent decades. While Alf may be familiar as a diminutive of Alfred or as a reference to the 1980s TV alien, its use as a standalone given name has all but vanished. No top states are associated with its use.
Alf originated as a diminutive of Alfred, itself from Old English Ælfræd, meaning 'elf counsel.' It was used independently in the 19th century, often as a nickname. The name saw modest use in the United States in the late 1800s, peaking in 1883, but has since declined sharply.
Sibling names for Alf
Names that share Alf's style, for a brother or sister.
