Given name · also Old Norse
Alv
“elf”
Alv is used as a given name. One Norwegian interpretation is “elf.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Norwegian interpretation is “elf.”
Where it comes from
Alv comes from Old Norse, and ultimately from Proto-Germanic.
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
How it developed
From Old Norse Alfr, from Proto-Germanic *Albiz.
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Alv’s family of names
In Norwegian Nynorsk usage, Alv shares a linguistic root with the Icelandic form Álfur. In Norwegian Nynorsk usage, Alv has a related form in Alf. In Norwegian Nynorsk usage, Alv shares a linguistic root with the Faroese form Álvur.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Alv has relatives in 3 languages. Lines run from its Proto-Germanic roots to each of them.
3 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 5
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Alv
- Alv GjestvangNorwegian speed skater (1937–2016)
- Alv KjøsNorwegian politician (1894-1990)
- Alv Jakob FostervollNorwegian politician (1932-2015)
- Alv ErlingssonNorwegian noble1300–1290
- Alv EgelandNorwegian physicist1932–2025
- Alv KnutssonNorwegian noble (1420-1496)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Alv, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Atte
Atte is a masculine given name from Old Norse, ultimately from Proto-Germanic. It is used in Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Old Swedish.
96% boys · 4% girls
Åållaž
Åållaž is a masculine given name from Old Norse, ultimately from Proto-Germanic. It is used in Skolt Sami.
>99% boys
Aadolf
“wolf”
>99% boys
Arvīds
Arvīds is a masculine given name from Old Norse, ultimately from Proto-Germanic. It is used in Latvian.
>99% boys
Atto
Atto is a masculine given name, possibly from German, ultimately from Gothic. It is used in English and Italian.
>99% boys
Aldmann
“old, wise” · “man”
>99% boys
Aðalgeir
Aðalgeir is a masculine given name from Old Norse, ultimately from Proto-Germanic. It is used in Faroese and Icelandic.
>99% boys
Ansvar
Ansvar is a masculine given name, probably from Old Norse, ultimately from Proto-Germanic. It is used in Old Swedish.
>99% boys