Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Belva since 1881
Babies named Belva per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1927, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Belva's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 259 |
| 1890s | 319 |
| 1900s | 505 |
| 1910s | 1,265 |
| 1920s | 1,650 |
| 1930s | 1,576 |
| 1940s | 1,145 |
| 1950s | 766 |
| 1960s | 307 |
| 1970s | 113 |
| 1980s | 35 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Belva is a name that briefly flourished in the late 19th century, peaking in 1884 before fading into rarity. In 2025 it ranked 14,942 with about 1 in 321,453 baby girls receiving the name, a stable but low frequency. Its etymology is uncertain, though it may derive from the Latin bellus meaning pretty. The name's trajectory has been stable, with no sign of revival in recent decades.
The name Belva first appeared in the United States in the late 19th century. It is often considered a feminine form of Belvus or a variant of the Latin 'bellus' meaning 'pretty, fair, charming', though this derivation is not certain. The name saw its peak usage in the 1880s and gradually declined in popularity thereafter.
Where Belva is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Belle, Vivi
Variants: Belvina, Belvia
Sibling names for Belva
Names that share Belva's style, for a brother or sister.
