Holding steady, #3,645 for girls today.
Popularity of Elva since 1880
Babies named Elva per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elva's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 903 |
| 1890s | 1,900 |
| 1900s | 2,677 |
| 1910s | 6,052 |
| 1920s | 6,314 |
| 1930s | 3,794 |
| 1940s | 2,698 |
| 1950s | 2,282 |
| 1960s | 1,508 |
| 1970s | 988 |
| 1980s | 754 |
| 1990s | 652 |
| 2000s | 472 |
| 2010s | 461 |
| 2020s | 242 |
Meaning & origin
Elva is a name of Old English origin, likely meaning "elf" or "friend of elves." It was most popular in the early 1900s, reaching its peak rank in 1901. After a long decline, it remains a rare choice today: in 2025 it ranked 3,645th, with a 1-in-39,202 frequency. The name has a stable trajectory, never experiencing a major revival. Elva is most common in Texas among the states where it appears as a top choice.
Elva likely originates as a short form of Old English names containing the element ælf ("elf"), such as Ælfgifu or Ælfwynn. It may also be a variant of Alva or a feminine form of Elvin. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States and England.
Where Elva 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.
“Elva” around the world
Where Elva lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: El, Elvie
Variants: Elvah
Sibling names for Elva
Names that share Elva's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Eva, Ida, Mae, Nora, Laverna, Awilda, Elba, Elvera, Lavada, Lavera, Ozella, Rosalva, Velva, Wava, Alvia, Belvia, Erva, Lavergne, Leva, Levada, Loleta, Luevenia, Melvia, Nelva, Odean, Orva, Shelva, Valeda, Velna, Verdia, Wauneta, Anola, Arloa, Delva, Loeta, Nixie, Norva, Oleva, Oveta, Verdelle, Elvy, Alga, Belvie, Berdia, Eldene, Elveta, Ileta, Leveda, Loveda, Loyda, Rotha, Seleta, Velvia, Velvie, Vineta
Brothers: Alvin, Elmer, Oscar, Walter, Wilbur, Alvis, Arville, Nelvin, Zell, Cleatis, Elver, Erbie, Melvern, Othal, Algia, Alvon, Elward, Neldon
