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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Elf friend
- Origin
- Old English
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- AL-vin
Alvin is a boy's name from Old English that means "elf friend," and it has a timeless, classic, vintage feel. You may have seen it said to mean "noble friend," but that's not accurate: that meaning belongs to the separate Old English name Aylwin (Æðelwine), which is often confused with Alvin. Alvin comes from Ælfwine, "elf friend," and it's pronounced AL-vin.
Meaning & Origin of Alvin
Meaning: Elf friend.
Origin: Old English.
A common claim: noble friend Actually: Alvin doesn't mean 'noble friend' — that's the separate Old English name Aylwin (Æðelwine), often confused with it. Alvin comes from Ælfwine, 'elf friend.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Alvin
AL-vinIPA /ˈælvɪn/
Popularity of Alvin
Alvin ranked #66 in the U.S. in 1927, when 2,883 babies were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #791, with 316 babies, so it's now a much less common pick than it was a century ago.
Names Like Alvin
These names share Alvin’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Alvin mean?
Elf friend. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Alvin?
Alvin is pronounced AL-vin (IPA: /ˈælvɪn/).
Is Alvin a popular name right now?
Alvin peaked at #66 in 1927 and is ranked #791 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Alvin Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Alvin, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Alvin? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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