What does Alva mean?
Alva comes from the Old Norse for “elf,” a being of light.
What does Sigrid mean?
Sigrid joins the Old Norse for “victory” and “fair, beautiful.”
Alva vs Sigrid
Which is more popular?
Sigrid is more popular than Alva today: about 32 US babies were given the name Sigrid in 2025, compared with 22 named Alva.
| Alva | Sigrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf | Victory, fair |
| Origin | Norse | Norse |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AHL-vah | SIG-rid |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1886 |
| Peak year | 1918 (196) | 2022 (56) |
| In 2025 | 22 | 32 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Alva
Sigrid
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Alva | Sigrid |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 176 | 235 |
| 2010s | 197 | 186 |
| 2000s | 132 | 114 |
| 1990s | 157 | 116 |
| 1980s | 279 | 107 |
| 1970s | 316 | 167 |
| 1960s | 519 | 285 |
| 1950s | 797 | 321 |
| 1940s | 875 | 423 |
| 1930s | 1,185 | 263 |
| 1920s | 1,591 | 191 |
| 1910s | 1,404 | 333 |
| 1900s | 604 | 156 |
| 1890s | 475 | 179 |
| 1880s | 182 | 34 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Alva or Sigrid more popular?
Sigrid is more popular than Alva today: about 32 US babies were given the name Sigrid in 2025, compared with 22 named Alva.
What is the difference between Alva and Sigrid?
Alva means Elf (Norse origin), while Sigrid means Victory, fair (Norse origin).
Which name is older, Alva or Sigrid?
In US records, Alva first appears in 1880 and Sigrid in 1886, so Alva has the longer recorded history.