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Home › Baby Names Directory › Elvira

Elvira

♀ Girl

Pronounced el-VY-ruh /ɛlˈvaɪ.rə/High

Meaning: all-true or foreign rulerMedium

In 30 seconds: Elvira is a Spanish name of Germanic origin meaning all-true or foreign ruler. A dramatic name with medieval Spanish heritage and gothic glamour through Elvira Mistress of the Dark.
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Origin MediumSpanish, Germanic
Meaningall-true or foreign ruler
U.S. rank (2025)#1715 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births119 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 27,230

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802025

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

Elvira is the Spanish form of a Germanic name (possibly Alvira or Alwira) meaning all-true or foreign ruler. It was popular in medieval Spain, borne by several queens of the Iberian peninsula, including Elvira of Castile (d. 1017).

Elvira remained popular in Spanish-speaking countries for centuries. In English-speaking cultures it gained gothic glamour through the character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and through opera (Don Giovanni's Donna Elvira). It is experiencing a hipster revival.

Did you know? Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark (played by Cassandra Peterson since 1981), became one of the most iconic horror-comedy characters in American pop culture, giving the name an indelible association with wit, beauty, and supernatural allure.
Overall data confidence 72%
Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for ElviraBehind the Name: Elvira — name etymology reference

Variations

AlviraElveraElvire

Nicknames

ElvyVira

Famous Bearers

  • ★Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (fictional)
    Horror-hostess character created in 1981 and portrayed by Cassandra Peterson, known for her gothic look and campy humor.
  • ★Elvira of Castile (c. 978–1017)
    Infanta of Castile who became Queen of León by marriage to Bermudo II and served as regent for her son Alfonso V.

If you like Elvira…

Isadora— dramatic three-syllable name with Spanish flair
Marisol— Spanish compound name of similar vintage
Serena— three-syllable elegant name with Latinate quality
Zhamira— a similarly popular pick
Adora— shares the -ra ending

Explore names like Elvira

By themespanishgermanicthree-syllablemedievaldramatic
By meaningRoyal / NobleTruth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Elvira mean?

Elvira means all-true or foreign ruler from Germanic roots, or possibly the white from Arabic. It was a medieval Spanish royal name.

How do you pronounce Elvira?

Elvira is pronounced el-VY-ruh (/ɛlˈvaɪ.rə/), with three syllables.

Is Elvira a girl's name?

Yes, Elvira is an exclusively feminine name with Spanish and Germanic heritage.

How popular is the name Elvira?

Elvira is popular in Spanish-speaking countries and has a cult following through the Elvira Mistress of the Dark character.

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