Alva
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 11,263 recorded births. Also given to 8,867 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A small town in Clackmannanshire council area, Scotland
Alva is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin (also used as a boy's name), from the Hebrew name Alvah, meaning 'his highness' or 'sublimity,' though it has also been connected to the Latin alba, meaning 'white' or 'bright.'
With nearly 9,000 recorded births, Alva had its American peak in the late 19th century — notably as the middle name of Thomas Alva Edison — and later as a feminine name in the early 20th century. Today Alva sits at that appealing intersection of vintage and Scandinavian: it's a common given name in Sweden and Norway, where it feels fresh and modern rather than old-fashioned.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Alva is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–2024). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Alva is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #8991), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Alva was #7557 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8991, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 43 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 65 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 52 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 104 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 158 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 292 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 479 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 717 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,216 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,681 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 2,551 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,978 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 575 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 689 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 663 | — |
The Story of Alva
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Alva is a name steeped in history. Boys named Alva are most likely born between 1907 and 1927.
How rare is Alva?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Alva — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 2,551 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Alva by the numbers
- Would fill 235 school buses
- Meeting one Alva per day would take 30.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(140 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #8991 |
| 2023 | 10 | #7771 |
| 2022 | 10 | #7785 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12232 |
| 2020 | 10 | #7521 |
| 2019 | 5 | #12230 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7646 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6349 |
| 2016 | 11 | #7169 |
| 2015 | 6 | #10718 |
| 2014 | 6 | #10777 |
| 2013 | 8 | #8835 |
| 2010 | 6 | #10830 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11106 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7619 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11542 |
| 2004 | 9 | #7557 |
| 2003 | 5 | #10963 |
| 2001 | 6 | #9292 |
| 2000 | 11 | #5936 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Alva as a Girl's Name
Alva is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 8,867 recorded births since 1880.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alva a boy's or girl's name?
When was Alva most popular?
How popular is the name Alva?
Can Alva be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024