Alvah: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Alvah

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1916

62 babies

All-time total

1,880

#3,517 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Alvah popularity over time

1,880 babies have been named Alvah since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	132	132	13	–	#364
1890s	–	109	109	11	-17%	#501
1900s	6	64	70	7	-36%	#653
1910s	21	326	347	35	+396%	#795
1920s	40	369	409	41	+18%	#1,036
1930s	–	266	266	27	-35%	#1,036
1940s	5	191	196	20	-26%	#1,370
1950s	–	184	184	18	-6%	#1,435
1960s	–	54	54	5	-71%	#2,849
1970s	–	61	61	6	+13%	#3,154
1980s	–	29	29	3	-52%	#4,935
1990s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	11	11	1	–	#10,824
2020s (to 2025)	–	12	12	2	+82%	#9,808

The story of Alvah

Alvah is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 1,880 American babies have been named Alvah. Its peak came in 1916, when 62 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Alvah stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Alvah?

The median living Alvah is about 71 years old; half are between 56 and 79. An estimated 400 people named Alvah are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Alvah year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	5	#12,449
2023	–	–	7	#9,808
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	–	–
2016	–	–	6	#10,824
2015	–	–	5	#12,180
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	–	–
2009	–	–	–	–
2008	–	–	–	–
2007	–	–	–	–
2006	–	–	–	–
2005	–	–	–	–
2004	–	–	–	–
2003	–	–	–	–
2002	–	–	–	–
2001	–	–	–	–
2000	–	–	–	–
1995	–	–	–	–
1990	–	–	–	–
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	–	–	6	#4,818
1970	–	–	9	#3,287
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	7	#3,350
1955	–	–	19	#1,791
1950	–	–	26	#1,435
1945	–	–	13	#1,928
1940	–	–	17	#1,682
1935	–	–	21	#1,494
1930	–	–	36	#1,173
1925	6	#4,442	44	#1,041
1920	–	–	45	#1,036
1915	7	#3,442	45	#926
1910	–	–	6	#1,429
1905	–	–	7	#1,005
1900	6	#1,729	10	#838
1895	–	–	14	#557
1890	–	–	12	#567
1885	–	–	23	#364
1880	–	–	18	#404

Famous people named Alvah

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Alvah Bessie American screenwriter (1904–1985) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Alvah, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Alvah?

The median living Alvah is about 71 years old. Half of all living Alvahs are between 56 and 79 years old.

How many people named Alvah are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Alvah are alive in the United States, based on 1,880 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Alvah in 2025?

Alvah did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Alvah?

1,880 babies have been named Alvah in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Alvah most popular?

Alvah peaked in 1916, when 62 newborns received the name.

Is Alvah a boy or girl name?

Alvah is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 96% of babies with the name.

Is the name Alvah rising or falling?

Alvah is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Alvah?

Well-known people named Alvah include Alvah Bessie (writer).

Names like Alvah

Names that sound and feel close to Alvah: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Alvah with similar names → More names starting with A →