Is Elva a boy's or girl's name?

Elva is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 817 recorded births.

When was Elva most popular?

Elva reached its peak popularity in 1918 with 789 births that year. It is currently ranked #3703 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Elva?

Elva is currently ranked #3703 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 31,654 babies since 1880.

Elva

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysDeclining

#3703▲ 222in 2024

Meaning & Origin

a female given name

Elva is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, meaning 'elf' or 'magical being,' from the Old English ælf. It may also derive from the Old Norse alfr, carrying the same mythological meaning.

Elva ranked in the U.S. top 200 from the 1880s through the 1940s — a genuinely vintage gem that has aged gracefully. It has the compact elegance of names like Vera, Neva, and Alba, and the mythological sparkle of fairy-tale naming that feels both ancient and surprisingly modern.

Compare Elva with another name

Popularity Over Time

Elva was #3280 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3703, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Elva
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	200	#3777	▼
2010s	461	#3471	—
2000s	471	#3324	▼
1990s	652	#2171	▼
1980s	754	#1612	▼
1970s	988	#1195	▼
1960s	1,508	#847	▼
1950s	2,282	#610	▼
1940s	2,698	#458	▼
1930s	3,794	#330	▼
1920s	6,314	#263	▲
1910s	6,052	#215	▲
1900s	2,677	#188	▲
1890s	1,900	#191	▲
1880s	903	#201	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Elva
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	41	#3703	+3 (7.9%)
2023	38	#3925	-3 (-7.3%)
2022	41	#3722	+6 (17.1%)
2021	35	#4120	-10 (-22.2%)
2020	45	#3413	-5 (-10.0%)
2019	50	#3184	+1 (2.0%)
2018	49	#3261	+1 (2.1%)
2017	48	#3316	-6 (-11.1%)
2016	54	#3072	+10 (22.7%)
2015	44	#3549	+1 (2.3%)
2014	43	#3606	+3 (7.5%)
2013	40	#3805	-5 (-11.1%)
2012	45	#3544	+11 (32.4%)
2011	34	#4280	-20 (-37.0%)
2010	54	#3089	+15 (38.5%)
2009	39	#3963	+1 (2.6%)
2008	38	#4111	-8 (-17.4%)
2007	46	#3549	-10 (-17.9%)
2006	56	#3028	+17 (43.6%)
2005	39	#3757	-7 (-15.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Elva as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Elva has also been given to 817 boys in the U.S. since 1882.

Unranked

Current rank

817

Total births

1918

Peak year

Compare Elva as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Elva be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Elva is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #3703. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology