What does Alva mean?
Alva comes from the Old Norse for “elf,” a being of light.
What does Liv mean?
Liv comes from the Old Norse for “life” or “protection.”
Alva vs Liv
Which is more popular?
Liv is more popular than Alva today: about 296 US babies were given the name Liv in 2025, compared with 22 named Alva.
| Alva | Liv | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf | Life |
| Origin | Norse | Norse |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AHL-vah | LEEV |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1956 |
| Peak year | 1918 (196) | 2017 (437) |
| In 2025 | 22 | 296 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Alva
Liv
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Alva | Liv |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 176 | 2,267 |
| 2010s | 197 | 3,443 |
| 2000s | 132 | 890 |
| 1990s | 157 | 84 |
| 1980s | 279 | 73 |
| 1970s | 316 | 129 |
| 1960s | 519 | 5 |
| 1950s | 797 | 10 |
| 1940s | 875 | 0 |
| 1930s | 1,185 | 0 |
| 1920s | 1,591 | 0 |
| 1910s | 1,404 | 0 |
| 1900s | 604 | 0 |
| 1890s | 475 | 0 |
| 1880s | 182 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Alva or Liv more popular?
Liv is more popular than Alva today: about 296 US babies were given the name Liv in 2025, compared with 22 named Alva.
What is the difference between Alva and Liv?
Alva means Elf (Norse origin), while Liv means Life (Norse origin).
Which name is older, Alva or Liv?
In US records, Alva first appears in 1880 and Liv in 1956, so Alva has the longer recorded history.