Alva

English form of Irish Ailbhe
"white"

Alva Origin and Meaning

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

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. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.

# 981 in the US

Alva Rank in US Top 1000

Alva Popularity

Famous People Named Alva

  • Alva VanderbiltAmerican socialite and suffragette
  • Thomas Alva EdisonAmerican inventor
  • Alva GustafssonMinor actress, sister of Greta Garbo
  • Alva Myrdalwinner of the Nobel Peace Prize

Alva in Pop Culture

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