Alva

AL-vuh

English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of Alf

"white; elf"

Alva Origin and Meaning

The name Alva is a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "white; elf".

While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.

Alva Rank in US Top 1000

# 981 in the US

Popularity of the name Alva

• 1091 Nameberry 2025
• 296 Germany 2016
• 17 Sweden 2024
• 48 Denmark 2021

20 Names Similar to Alva

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Alva.

• Noémie
• Maris
• Sinead
• Ilsa
• Zelie
• Avonlea
• Svea
• Esmee
• Zélie
• Leta
• Zosia
• Else
• Sanna
• Estee
• Minna
• Jessamy
• Mireille
• Isabeau
• Viviette
• Sanne

Famous People Named Alva

• Alva Vanderbilt American socialite and suffragette
• Thomas Alva Edison American inventor
• Alva Gustafsson Minor actress, sister of Greta Garbo
• Alva Myrdal winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

The name Alva in Pop Culture

• Alva Star main character of movie/play 'This Property is Condemned"
• Alva female form of Alf, which means in "elf" in Swedish.
• Alva Stubbins character in "The Rose Years" series by Roger Lea MacBride