Alvin
Alvin: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈælvɪn/
Meaning and origin of Alvin
Root meaning: “elf”
- A male given name from Old English.
Etymology
From Old English Ælfwine, made up of ælf (“elf”) + wine (“friend”).
How popular is Alvin?
Since 1880, 1,098 girls and 161,414 boys in the U.S. have been named Alvin (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1393 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #66 in 1927. In 2025 it ranked #838 for boys, with 294 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alvin
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Alvin
Sister and brother names that share Alvin's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alvin FAQ
What does the name Alvin mean?
Alvin traces back to a root meaning "elf". A male given name from Old English. From Old English Ælfwine, made up of ælf (“elf”) + wine (“friend”).
What is the origin of the name Alvin?
Alvin is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Alvin?
Since 1880, 1,098 girls and 161,414 boys in the U.S. have been named Alvin (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1393 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #66 in 1927. In 2025 it ranked #838 for boys, with 294 babies given the name.
Is Alvin a boy or girl name?
Alvin is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,098 girls and 161,414 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.