A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Alva since 1880
Babies named Alva per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alva's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 182 | 663 |
| 1890s | 475 | 689 |
| 1900s | 604 | 575 |
| 1910s | 1,404 | 1,978 |
| 1920s | 1,591 | 2,551 |
| 1930s | 1,185 | 1,681 |
| 1940s | 875 | 1,216 |
| 1950s | 797 | 717 |
| 1960s | 519 | 479 |
| 1970s | 316 | 292 |
| 1980s | 279 | 158 |
| 1990s | 157 | 104 |
| 2000s | 132 | 52 |
| 2010s | 197 | 65 |
| 2020s | 176 | 49 |
Meaning & origin
Alva is a name with two plausible roots, possibly from Old English ælf 'elf' or Latin albus 'white'. Its use dates to the 1880s, with a peak in 1882 when it was conferred on many boys. After a long decline, the name began rising again around 2011, now given more often to girls. In 2025, it ranks roughly #10,695 nationwide, with about 1 in 284,679 babies receiving the name. This modest revival fits a broader trend of vintage, soft-sounding names returning to favor. Despite its uncertain etymology, Alva carries a simple, clean sound that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon but familiar choice.
Alva has multiple possible derivations. It may be a feminine short form of Old English names containing the element ælf 'elf', such as Alfred, or a masculine name from the same root. Alternatively, it could be a feminine variant of Alba, from Latin albus 'white'. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly as a male name, before declining and later reviving for girls in the 21st century.
Where Alva is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alva” around the world
Where Alva lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Alvy
Variants: Alvah
Sibling names for Alva
Names that share Alva's style, for a brother or sister.
