Alva Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationAL-vah / /ˈæl.və/Hebrew; Scandinavian
Meaning
Hebrew: 'God is my light'; Scandinavian: 'elf' or 'magical being'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Alva has roots in both Hebrew and Scandinavian cultures. In Hebrew, it is associated with a spiritual connotation of light. In Scandinavian contexts, it is linked to folklore, where elves and magical beings are prominent. The name has seen varying levels of popularity across different regions and time periods.
Trend Summary
The name Alva has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years in the United States.
Similar Names
Variants
- Alvah
International Variants
- Alva (Spanish)
- Alvah (English)
Famous people named Alva
Alva Adams was a prominent American politician who served as the Governor of Colorado.
Alva Myrdal was a Swedish politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for her work in disarmament.
Alva Noto is a German musician and visual artist recognized for his experimental electronic music.
Alva Smith was an American author and educator known for her contributions to children's literature.
Fictional characters named Alva
Alva is a character in the video game 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild', known for his role in the storyline.
Alva is a character in the animated series 'The Amazing World of Gumball', depicted as a student at Elmore Junior High.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Alva was first seen in the United States in 1880. Alva has ranked as high as #557 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in Ohio, Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana, and Texas. In the past 5 years the name Alva has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Alva (1973)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 70 |
| 1881 | 70 |
| 1882 | 85 |
| 1883 | 72 |
| 1884 | 62 |
| 1885 | 46 |
| 1886 | 64 |
| 1887 | 58 |
| 1888 | 74 |
| 1889 | 62 |
| 1890 | 68 |
| 1891 | 66 |
| 1892 | 74 |
| 1893 | 66 |
| 1894 | 76 |
| 1895 | 74 |
| 1896 | 68 |
| 1897 | 69 |
| 1898 | 67 |
| 1899 | 61 |
| 1900 | 73 |
| 1901 | 59 |
| 1902 | 60 |
| 1903 | 50 |
| 1904 | 49 |
| 1905 | 57 |
| 1906 | 64 |
| 1907 | 59 |
| 1908 | 36 |
| 1909 | 68 |
| 1910 | 61 |
| 1911 | 58 |
| 1912 | 138 |
| 1913 | 167 |
| 1914 | 178 |
| 1915 | 262 |
| 1916 | 260 |
| 1917 | 317 |
| 1918 | 273 |
| 1919 | 264 |
| 1920 | 278 |
| 1921 | 289 |
| 1922 | 246 |
| 1923 | 274 |
| 1924 | 273 |
| 1925 | 239 |
| 1926 | 259 |
| 1927 | 245 |
| 1928 | 207 |
| 1929 | 241 |
| 1930 | 208 |
| 1931 | 213 |
| 1932 | 175 |
| 1933 | 156 |
| 1934 | 155 |
| 1935 | 146 |
| 1936 | 177 |
| 1937 | 155 |
| 1938 | 156 |
| 1939 | 140 |
| 1940 | 137 |
| 1941 | 102 |
| 1942 | 131 |
| 1943 | 148 |
| 1944 | 112 |
| 1945 | 115 |
| 1946 | 114 |
| 1947 | 131 |
| 1948 | 115 |
| 1949 | 111 |
| 1950 | 97 |
| 1951 | 66 |
| 1952 | 97 |
| 1953 | 65 |
| 1954 | 68 |
| 1955 | 82 |
| 1956 | 59 |
| 1957 | 58 |
| 1958 | 57 |
| 1959 | 68 |
| 1960 | 60 |
| 1961 | 65 |
| 1962 | 52 |
| 1963 | 45 |
| 1964 | 51 |
| 1965 | 44 |
| 1966 | 39 |
| 1967 | 36 |
| 1968 | 35 |
| 1969 | 52 |
| 1970 | 35 |
| 1971 | 36 |
| 1972 | 29 |
| 1973 | 38 |
| 1974 | 27 |
| 1975 | 26 |
| 1976 | 24 |
| 1977 | 27 |
| 1978 | 31 |
| 1979 | 19 |
| 1980 | 26 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1982 | 22 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 13 |
| 1989 | 16 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1992 | 13 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 |