Alvin Boy

Popularity: #654 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AL-vin //ˈæl.vɪn//

Origin: Old English; German

Meaning: Old English: noble friend; German: elf friend

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Alvin has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "aelf," meaning "elf," and "wine," meaning "friend." This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "elf friend." The name was recorded in various forms throughout history, with early instances appearing in the Anglo-Saxon period. It was later adopted into Middle English, maintaining its original spelling and pronunciation, before becoming more widely recognized in the modern era.

Historically, the name Alvin has been associated with notable figures, particularly in the context of Anglo-Saxon England. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name can be traced back to the 8th century, with references in texts that highlight its popularity among the Anglo-Saxon nobility.

The name gained further prominence through its association with saints and religious figures, particularly in the context of Christianization in England, where names of Old English origin were often favored. The name Alvin also appears in various historical documents and literature, contributing to its recognition in medieval society.

Culturally, the name Alvin has resonated through various traditions and folklore, often symbolizing friendship and loyalty, traits attributed to the mythical elves of Germanic mythology. The name's enduring appeal can be seen in its use in literature and popular culture, where it has been adopted by various characters and figures, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness.

A diminutive form, Al, has also emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different contexts. Overall, Alvin carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its linguistic origins and historical usage.

Famous people named Alvin

In this section, you will find notable people named Alvin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Alvin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Alvin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Alvin Ailey was a choreographer and activist best known for Revelations, Ailey American Dance Theater, and his contributions to modern dance.

Alvin Toffler was an author and futurist best known for Future Shock, The Third Wave, and Powershift.

Fictional characters named Alvin

The following list of fictional characters named Alvin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Alvin is a fictional character from the animated series Alvin and the Chipmunks. He is the lead singer of the Chipmunks and known for his mischievous personality.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Alvin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

OliverEthanHenrySimonLucasNathan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Alvin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AlvinusAlvinneAlvynElvinAldenAlistairAlaric

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Alvin was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Alvin has ranked as high as #162 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in Texas, New York, California, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Alvin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Alvin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Alvin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Alvin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 294 294 0
2024 318 318 0
2023 337 337 0
2022 352 352 0
2021 325 325 0
2020 377 377 0
2019 399 399 0
2018 390 390 0
2017 439 439 0
2016 471 471 0
2015 455 455 0
2014 462 462 0
2013 458 458 0
2012 505 505 0
2011 464 464 0
2010 492 492 0
2009 471 471 0
2008 658 658 0
2007 522 522 0
2006 516 516 0
2005 516 516 0
2004 484 484 0
2003 477 477 0
2002 533 533 0
2001 541 541 0
2000 522 522 0
1999 520 520 0
1998 521 521 0
1997 541 541 0
1996 499 499 0
1995 548 548 0
1994 563 556 7
1993 648 648 0
1992 638 633 5
1991 700 693 7
1990 749 749 0
1989 829 823 6
1988 696 688 8
1987 736 729 7
1986 683 676 7
1985 718 705 13
1984 700 690 10
1983 714 706 8
1982 795 783 12
1981 814 806 8
1980 876 868 8
1979 823 815 8
1978 810 800 10
1977 767 762 5
1976 773 766 7
1975 863 856 7
1974 822 811 11
1973 878 870 8
1972 886 881 5
1971 1,041 1,029 12
1970 1,104 1,087 17
1969 1,072 1,060 12
1968 1,120 1,112 8
1967 1,230 1,225 5
1966 1,253 1,239 14
1965 1,339 1,328 11
1964 1,475 1,459 16
1963 1,517 1,503 14
1962 1,729 1,711 18
1961 1,889 1,877 12
1960 2,005 1,995 10
1959 2,273 2,261 12
1958 2,202 2,180 22
1957 2,415 2,388 27
1956 2,448 2,431 17
1955 2,378 2,360 18
1954 2,384 2,367 17
1953 2,125 2,110 15
1952 2,346 2,336 10
1951 2,393 2,385 8
1950 2,286 2,269 17
1949 2,170 2,158 12
1948 2,280 2,270 10
1947 2,228 2,215 13
1946 2,056 2,047 9
1945 1,872 1,861 11
1944 1,982 1,967 15
1943 2,213 2,203 10
1942 2,083 2,071 12
1941 2,028 2,016 12
1940 1,923 1,911 12
1939 1,957 1,940 17
1938 2,069 2,063 6
1937 1,991 1,986 5
1936 1,984 1,970 14
1935 2,180 2,165 15
1934 2,167 2,147 20
1933 2,137 2,128 9
1932 2,291 2,274 17
1931 2,324 2,299 25
1930 2,536 2,512 24
1929 2,585 2,555 30
1928 2,767 2,750 17
1927 2,908 2,883 25
1926 2,714 2,693 21
1925 2,796 2,777 19
1924 2,783 2,759 24
1923 2,674 2,647 27
1922 2,614 2,599 15
1921 2,704 2,686 18
1920 2,545 2,523 22
1919 2,405 2,383 22
1918 2,437 2,409 28
1917 2,164 2,142 22
1916 2,116 2,093 23
1915 2,017 2,006 11
1914 1,542 1,532 10
1913 1,144 1,144 0
1912 936 929 7
1911 465 460 5
1910 401 401 0
1909 363 363 0
1908 312 307 5
1907 245 245 0
1906 239 239 0
1905 258 258 0
1904 247 247 0
1903 222 222 0
1902 201 201 0
1901 179 179 0
1900 223 223 0
1899 173 173 0
1898 184 184 0
1897 186 186 0
1896 183 183 0
1895 179 179 0
1894 167 167 0
1893 163 163 0
1892 164 164 0
1891 121 121 0
1890 147 147 0
1889 137 137 0
1888 157 157 0
1887 128 128 0
1886 112 112 0
1885 125 125 0
1884 145 145 0
1883 113 113 0
1882 132 132 0
1881 105 105 0
1880 102 102 0

Top States for Alvin (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 44
17%
PA 33
13%
NY 27
11%
TX 24
9%
MA 12
5%
MI 12
5%
GA 12
5%
OH 12
5%
FL 10
4%
IL 9
4%
UT 7
3%
WI 7
3%
IN 7
3%
VA 6
2%
NC 6
2%
WA 6
2%
AZ 5
2%
MN 5
2%
NJ 5
2%
OK 5
2%