Alva

The first name Alva is predominantly given to girls, but can also be used for boys, and is considered a variant of the names Alf or Alvar. Its meaning is 'the elf' (Old Germanic) or 'the fairy' (Norse).

What does the name Alva mean?

The first name Alva is predominantly given to girls, but can also be used for boys, and is considered a variant of the names Alf or Alvar. Its meaning is 'the elf' (Old Germanic) or 'the fairy' (Norse). However, there are several other possible derivations of the name, which are explained as follows: 1.) Alva means as a variant of Alvar/Alfarr 'the fighting elf', derived from the two Old Norse words alfr for 'the elf', 'the fairy', or 'the nature spirit' and herr for 'the army', 'the war band', 'the leader of the army', or 'the warrior'. 2.) If the name is derived from Albiharjaz, it means 'the battle of the elf'. Its origins lie in the Old Norse elements alfr for 'the elf', 'the fairy', or 'the nature spirit' and hildr for 'the battle' or 'the fight'. 3.) Alva can also be seen as a short form of Alfgeirr meaning 'the elf with a spear'. Its derivation comes from the two Old Norse expressions alfr for 'the elf', 'the fairy', or 'the nature spirit' and geirr for 'the spear'. 4.) The name Alva is also considered a younger form of the name Hallvardr, which translates to 'the rock guardian'. Its origin lies in the Old Norse name components hallr for 'the rock' and vardr for 'the guardian' or 'the protector'. 5.) Finally, there is also a connection to the biblical name Alvah, which is derived from the Old Hebrew ‛alvâh (עַלְוָה) meaning 'his majesty', leading to the interpretation 'his majesty' or 'the exalted one'. In Portuguese, Alva means 'dawn'. Alvah was a descendant of Esau and one of the dukes of Edom. A well-known bearer of the name was the inventor Thomas Alva Edison.

Where does the name Alva come from?

Etymology Alva is a female and male first name of Old Norse origin meaning 'the elf' or 'the fairy'. Old Norse

How do you pronounce Alva?

Sound & pronunciation of Alva: The name Alva is two syllables and clearly structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Al-va' [ˈalva], with the consonant combination in the center creating a compact sound form. The open 'a' at the end brings balance to the sound. Alva sounds Nordic and modern - simple, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Alva?

The name day of Alva is September 3.

Popularity

Alva is a very popular first name in Germany. Currently, it ranks 97th in the list of the most common female baby names. In the last ten years, Alva has been given as a first name about 5,300 times, placing it 130th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 141st. Global popularity and frequency of Alva Here you can see the latest rankings of Alva in the name charts of individual countries.

Nicknames & pet names

Alli / Alv / Alvabetica / Alvachen / Alvalinchen / Alvi / Alvina / Alvinchen / Elf A / Elfi / Vava

Similar first names

Famous people

• Alpha (Greek letter)
• Alva (maid from 'Madita and Pims' by Astrid Lindgren)
• Alva Cicotte (baseball player from the USA)
• Alva Colquhoun (swimmer from Australia)
• Alva Kelley (American football player)
• Alva Liles (football player from America)
• Alva Myrdal (Swedish sociologist, politician, Nobel Peace Prize laureate)
• Alva Noe (philosopher)
• Alva Sibbetts (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Alva Vanderbilt Belmont (1853–1933), American women's rights activist)
• De Alva S. Alexander (American historian)
• Frank Alva Buecheler (German theater director)
• Thomas Alva Edison (inventor and entrepreneur in the field of electrical engineering, the electrification of New York and the introduction of electric light marked the beginning of comprehensive electrification in cultural development.)