Alvin
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 161,108 recorded births. Also given to 1,098 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Old English.
Alvin is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from Ælfwine, combining the elements ælf meaning 'elf' and wine meaning 'friend' — so the name poetically means 'friend of the elves.'
Alvin reached peak popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. While Alvin and the Chipmunks gave the name a cartoonish association for younger generations, jazz guitarist Alvin Lee and country singer Alvin Stardust demonstrate its range. The nickname Al gives it an easy, timeless shorthand.
EtymologyShow more
Though Alvin dates back to 1880 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Old English classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Alvin’s 161,108 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by tens of thousands of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Alvin was #508 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #791, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,707 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 4,528 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 5,235 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 5,908 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 7,476 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 8,677 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 14,509 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 23,087 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 20,719 | — |
| 1930s | 21,484 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 26,872 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 15,499 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 2,484 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 1,667 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 1,256 | — |
The Story of Alvin
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Alvin is a name steeped in history. Boys named Alvin are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Alvin?
Only about 1 in every 11,392 babies born in 2024 was named Alvin — 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 26,872 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Alvin by the numbers
- Enough Alvins to fill 2.3 football stadiums
- More Alvins than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Alvin per day would take 441.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 316 | #791 |
| 2023 | 337 | #763 |
| 2022 | 352 | #735 |
| 2021 | 325 | #769 |
| 2020 | 377 | #682 |
| 2019 | 399 | #663 |
| 2018 | 390 | #655 |
| 2017 | 438 | #604 |
| 2016 | 469 | #586 |
| 2015 | 455 | #601 |
| 2014 | 461 | #595 |
| 2013 | 457 | #570 |
| 2012 | 505 | #521 |
| 2011 | 464 | #547 |
| 2010 | 490 | #527 |
| 2009 | 469 | #565 |
| 2008 | 658 | #436 |
| 2007 | 522 | #505 |
| 2006 | 516 | #503 |
| 2005 | 516 | #483 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Alvin as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Alvin has also been given to 1,098 girls in the U.S. since 1908.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alvin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Alvin most popular?
How popular is the name Alvin?
Can Alvin be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024