Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Alvin
BoyOld English, English· “elf friend”
- Meaning
- elf friend
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- AL-vihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #838
- US babies 2025
- 294
- Best rank
- #66 (1927)
- Peak year
- 1927
Meaning and origin of Alvin
Alvin is an Old English and English name that means “elf friend”.
Alvin comes from the Old English Aelfwine, combining aelf, "elf", and wine, "friend", so it means "elf friend", a name suggesting good fortune and wisdom in Anglo-Saxon times. It survived the Norman Conquest as a surname and was revived as a given name in the nineteenth century. Alvin became familiar to generations of children through Alvin and the Chipmunks, and it is borne by figures such as the choreographer Alvin Ailey. The name has a gentle, slightly retro charm and a friendly sound. Al and Vin are traditional short forms.
Popularity over time
Alvin 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #66 in 1927, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,883 babies. In 2025, 294 babies were named Alvin, and it ranked #838 nationally. That is 35% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #76 in 1920, #121 in 1950, #254 in 1980, #456 in 2000, #526 in 2010, and #838 in 2025. Of the 161,414 US boys named Alvin since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 23,087 babies. Since 2010, 6,538 more have been named Alvin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Floyd, Rudolph, Junior, Melvin, and Marvin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alvin ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #458 | 22 |
| Missouri | #519 | 11 |
| New York | #545 | 29 |
| Utah | #561 | 7 |
| Iowa | #575 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Alvin is usually pronounced AL-vihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Alvin
A few middle names that flow with Alvin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alvin
Similar names
Elvin Boy
EL-vin
“elf friend” · Old English
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Melvin Boy
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DUHS-tihn
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Lists that include Alvin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alvin mean?
Alvin is an Old English and English name that means “elf friend”.
What is the origin of the name Alvin?
Alvin has Old English and English roots. Alvin comes from the Old English Aelfwine, combining aelf, "elf", and wine, "friend", so it means "elf friend", a name suggesting good fortune and wisdom in Anglo-Saxon times.
Is Alvin a popular name?
Yes. Alvin ranked #838 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alvin a boy or girl name?
Alvin is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Alvin?
Alvin is usually pronounced AL-vihn. 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