Alvah
Every Alvah since 1880 — 1,880 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Alvah
Alvah is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 1,880 American babies have been named Alvah. Its peak came in 1916, when 62 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 Alvah stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Alvah 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | 5 | #12,449 |
| 2023 | — | — | 7 | #9,808 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #10,824 |
| 2015 | — | — | 5 | #12,180 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | 6 | #4,818 |
| 1970 | — | — | 9 | #3,287 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | 7 | #3,350 |
| 1955 | — | — | 19 | #1,791 |
| 1950 | — | — | 26 | #1,435 |
| 1945 | — | — | 13 | #1,928 |
| 1940 | — | — | 17 | #1,682 |
| 1935 | — | — | 21 | #1,494 |
| 1930 | — | — | 36 | #1,173 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,442 | 44 | #1,041 |
| 1920 | — | — | 45 | #1,036 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,442 | 45 | #926 |
| 1910 | — | — | 6 | #1,429 |
| 1905 | — | — | 7 | #1,005 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,729 | 10 | #838 |
| 1895 | — | — | 14 | #557 |
| 1890 | — | — | 12 | #567 |
| 1885 | — | — | 23 | #364 |
| 1880 | — | — | 18 | #404 |
Famous people named Alvah
- Alvah Bessie Writer · 1904–1985
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Alvah in 2025?
Alvah did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Alvah?
1,880 babies have been named Alvah in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Alvah most popular?
Alvah peaked in 1916, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Alvah a boy or girl name?
Alvah is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Alvah rising or falling?
Alvah is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Alvah?
Well-known people named Alvah include Alvah Bessie (writer).