Alva
Every Alva since 1880 — 20,158 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Alva
Alva is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,762 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 20,158 American babies have been named Alva — about 56% boys and 44% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1917, when 478 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Alva stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Alva year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | #5,567 | 6 | #10,762 |
| 2024 | 31 | #4,480 | 8 | #9,029 |
| 2023 | 24 | #5,256 | 10 | #7,775 |
| 2022 | 29 | #4,677 | 10 | #7,789 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,621 | 5 | #12,237 |
| 2020 | 41 | #3,616 | 10 | #7,524 |
| 2019 | 32 | #4,351 | 5 | #12,233 |
| 2018 | 28 | #4,775 | 10 | #7,649 |
| 2017 | 21 | #5,835 | 13 | #6,349 |
| 2016 | 27 | #4,999 | 11 | #7,170 |
| 2015 | 19 | #6,473 | 6 | #10,720 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9,010 | 6 | #10,778 |
| 2013 | 14 | #8,168 | 8 | #8,835 |
| 2012 | 14 | #8,231 | — | — |
| 2011 | 13 | #8,653 | — | — |
| 2010 | 17 | #7,236 | 6 | #10,831 |
| 2009 | 12 | #9,409 | — | — |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,128 | 6 | #11,106 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8,547 | 10 | #7,619 |
| 2006 | 5 | #17,325 | — | — |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,360 | 5 | #11,543 |
| 2004 | 17 | #6,789 | 9 | #7,559 |
| 2003 | 17 | #6,597 | 5 | #10,962 |
| 2002 | 13 | #7,849 | — | — |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,076 | 6 | #9,292 |
| 2000 | 18 | #5,950 | 11 | #5,936 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7,069 | 15 | #4,061 |
| 1990 | 26 | #3,910 | 12 | #4,415 |
| 1985 | 35 | #2,706 | 13 | #3,405 |
| 1980 | 36 | #2,605 | 26 | #2,059 |
| 1975 | 31 | #2,518 | 26 | #1,836 |
| 1970 | 48 | #1,828 | 35 | #1,416 |
| 1965 | 53 | #1,529 | 44 | #1,129 |
| 1960 | 59 | #1,430 | 60 | #983 |
| 1955 | 98 | #1,010 | 82 | #807 |
| 1950 | 80 | #1,018 | 97 | #695 |
| 1945 | 67 | #926 | 115 | #558 |
| 1940 | 98 | #702 | 137 | #497 |
| 1935 | 116 | #604 | 146 | #470 |
| 1930 | 120 | #631 | 208 | #402 |
| 1925 | 154 | #580 | 239 | #388 |
| 1920 | 173 | #541 | 278 | #353 |
| 1915 | 146 | #518 | 262 | #324 |
| 1910 | 80 | #445 | 61 | #317 |
| 1905 | 58 | #442 | 57 | #263 |
| 1900 | 67 | #408 | 73 | #237 |
| 1895 | 61 | #357 | 74 | #197 |
| 1890 | 35 | #429 | 68 | #194 |
| 1885 | 17 | #522 | 46 | #243 |
| 1880 | 17 | #404 | 70 | #180 |
Famous people named Alva
- Alva Myrdal Diplomat · 1902–1986
- Alva Noto Musician · b. 1965
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Alva in 2025?
Alva ranked #10,762 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Alva?
20,158 babies have been named Alva in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Alva most popular?
Alva peaked in 1917, when 478 newborns received the name.
Is Alva a boy or girl name?
Alva is used for both: about 44% of babies named Alva have been girls and 56% boys.
Is the name Alva rising or falling?
Alva is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Alva?
Well-known people named Alva include Alva Myrdal (diplomat), Alva Noto (musician).