Belva: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	259	26	–	#234
1890s	319	32	+23%	#386
1900s	505	51	+58%	#427
1910s	1,265	127	+150%	#461
1920s	1,650	165	+30%	#519
1930s	1,576	158	-4%	#502
1940s	1,145	115	-27%	#552
1950s	766	77	-33%	#900
1960s	307	31	-60%	#1,561
1970s	113	11	-63%	#3,729
1980s	35	4	-69%	#5,576
1990s	5	1	-86%	#13,785
2000s	10	1	+100%	#17,534
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	5	1	–	#15,304

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

259

–

#234

1890s

319

+23%

#386

1900s

505

+58%

#427

1910s

1,265

127

+150%

#461

1920s

1,650

165

+30%

#519

1930s

1,576

158

-4%

#502

1940s

1,145

115

-27%

#552

1950s

766

-33%

#900

1960s

307

-60%

#1,561

1970s

113

-63%

#3,729

1980s

-69%

#5,576

1990s

-86%

#13,785

2000s

+100%

#17,534

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

#15,304

The story of Belva

Belva is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #15,304 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 7,960 American babies have been named Belva. Its peak came in 1927, when 184 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

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 Belva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Belva?

The median living Belva is about 77 years old; half are between 68 and 85. An estimated 2,300 people named Belva 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.

Belva year by year

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

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	5	#15,304
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	5	#18,041
2006	5	#17,534
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	12	#5,576
1975	10	#5,556
1970	16	#3,729
1965	23	#2,548
1960	51	#1,561
1955	84	#1,095
1950	97	#900
1945	121	#674
1940	128	#618
1935	145	#535
1930	170	#515
1925	147	#598
1920	165	#559
1915	139	#537
1910	72	#473
1905	59	#439
1900	61	#427
1895	36	#488
1890	42	#386
1885	30	#373
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Belva?

The median living Belva is about 77 years old. Half of all living Belvas are between 68 and 85 years old.

How many people named Belva are alive today?

An estimated 2,300 people named Belva are alive in the United States, based on 7,960 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Belva in 2025?

Belva ranked #15,304 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Belva?

7,960 babies have been named Belva in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Belva most popular?

Belva peaked in 1927, when 184 newborns received the name.

Is Belva a boy or girl name?

Belva is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Belva rising or falling?

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

Belva

Belva popularity over time

The story of Belva

How old are people named Belva?

Belva year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Belva