Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Alva
UnisexHebrew, Old Norse· “uncertain; Hebrew or Old Norse "elf"”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Hebrew or Old Norse "elf" (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- AL-vuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,567
- US babies 2025
- 22
- Best rank
- #334 (1896)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Alva
Alva is often said to mean “uncertain; Hebrew or Old Norse "elf"”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Old Norse roots.
Alva has more than one proposed source, and its meaning is uncertain. In the Bible, Alvah is one of the chiefs of Edom in Genesis, a Hebrew name of unclear meaning. In Swedish, Alva is linked to alv, "elf," and it has become a popular girls' name there; Alva Myrdal, the Swedish diplomat who won the Nobel Peace Prize, carried it. In English it was also used for boys, most famously as the middle name of Thomas Alva Edison. It is said AL-vuh. Alvah and Alvar are related forms, and Elva is a similar name.
Popularity over time
Alva has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 71 different years. Its best national rank was #334 in 1896, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 196 were named Alva. In 2025, 22 babies were named Alva, and it ranked #5,567 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #541 in 1920, #1,018 in 1950, #2,605 in 1980, #5,950 in 2000, #7,236 in 2010, and #5,567 in 2025. Of the 8,889 US girls named Alva since records began, 18% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 1,404 babies. Since 2010, 373 more have been named Alva.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Everette, Valentine, Garnet, Claudie, and Maxie.
Gender, sound and spelling
Alva is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 76% of US babies named Alva were girls and 24% were boys.
Alva is usually pronounced AL-vuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-va”.
Middle names for Alva
A few middle names that flow with Alva: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alva
Similar names
Eva Girl
EE-vuh
“life” · Latin
#134
Ava Girl
AY-vuh
“uncertain, possibly a form of Eve” · Germanic
#11
Ziva Girl
ZEE-vuh
“radiance; also Slavic goddess of life” · Hebrew
#1,580
Chava Girl
HAH-vuh
“life” · Hebrew
#1,737
Tova Girl
TOH-vuh
“good” · Hebrew
#2,643
Riva Girl
REE-vuh
“variant of Rivka; Italian "shore"” · Hebrew
#3,697
Ari Unisex
AH-ree
“lion; also eagle” · Hebrew
#393
Iva Girl
EE-vuh
“willow” · Slavic
#1,740
Reva Girl
RAY-vuh
“rain; also a name of the Narmada” · Hindi
#1,986
Anna Girl
AN-uh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#107
Mary Girl
MEH-ree
“uncertain; often said bitter or beloved” · Hebrew
#125
Nova Girl
NOH-vuh
“new” · Latin
#46
Lists that include Alva
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alva mean?
Alva is often said to mean “uncertain; Hebrew or Old Norse "elf"”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Old Norse roots.
What is the origin of the name Alva?
Alva has Hebrew and Old Norse roots. Alva has more than one proposed source, and its meaning is uncertain.
Is Alva a popular name?
Not especially. Alva ranked #5,567 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Alva a boy or girl name?
Alva is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 76% of US babies named Alva were girls and 24% were boys.
How do you pronounce Alva?
Alva is usually pronounced AL-vuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings