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Home › Baby Names Directory › Alva

Alva

♂ Boy

Pronounced AL-vah /ˈæl.vɑ/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Alvah, variously 'brightness; sublime; height'; also linked to the Latin albus, 'white/fair'; used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Brightness; sublime: Alva is Hebrew. Crisp, classic, and warm. Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowHebrew, Latin
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Alvah, variously 'brightness; sublime; height'; also linked to the Latin albus, 'white/fair'; used for both sexes; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#8991 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1917
Total births (all-time)≈ 11,263

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191718802024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alva comes from the Hebrew Alvah, variously 'brightness; sublime; height'; also linked to the Latin albus, 'white/fair' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a boy (slug distinguished; said 'AL-vah').

In the U.S. it appears as a vintage name for both sexes. Rare, brightness-and-sublime at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Alva is variously 'brightness; sublime' (Hebrew) and 'white/fair' (Latin) — a crisp name (Thomas Alva Edison bore it), used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'AL-vah').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Alva — unisex; routes layered

Variations

AlvahAlvoAlba

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Alva…

Alvin— a sound-neighbor Alv- boys' name
Alvaro— a fellow Alv- boys' name
Elva— a companion -lva name
Nova— shares Alva's Latin roots
Akiva— shares the -va ending

Explore names like Alva

By themeuncertainhebrewlatinunisex
By meaningLightBeautyWind / Air

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alva mean?

Alva is variously Hebrew 'brightness; sublime' and Latin 'white/fair'; used for both sexes; here for a boy. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Alva?

It's said AL-vah /ael.v/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alva a boy or girl name?

Alva is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Alva?

Alva is a very rare name in the U.S. today.

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