Given name & surname
Elvis
“one who is wise”
Elvis is used as a given name and a surname. One Scandinavian interpretation is “one who is wise.” Its derivation is not certain.
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Scandinavian interpretation is “one who is wise.” Its derivation is not certain.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Scandinavian, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
In Latvian usage, Elvis is a masculine form of Elva. In Latvian usage, Elvis is a masculine form of Alvis.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1881. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Elvis through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 18,123
- 17,971 boys · 152 girls
- Most popular year
- 1957
- 618 babies
- 2025
- 145
- #1,328 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −6%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 145 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,328 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 5.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 605 in 1957. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (27). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 18,506 as a first name in 2020; 447 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Elvis’s family of names
In Latvian usage, Elvis is a masculine form of Elva. In English usage, Elvis has a related form in Elvin. In Latvian usage, Elvis has a related form in Alvis.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Elvis has relatives in 3 languages. Lines run from its Old Norse roots to each of them.
6 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Elvis
- Elvis PresleyAmerican singer and actor (1935–1977)
- Elvis CostelloEnglish singer-songwriter (born 1954)
- Elvis MerzļikinsLatvian ice hockey playerborn 1994
- Elvis ManuDutch association football playerborn 1993
- Elvis StojkoCanadian figure skaterborn 1972
- Elvis GregoryCuban fencerborn 1971
- Elvis RexhbeçajGerman footballerborn 1997
- Elvis BrajkovićCroatian footballerborn 1969
- BabancoCape Verdean association football playerborn 1985
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Elvis, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Lenny
“having the strength of a lion” · “one who plays the flute”
76% boys · 24% girls
Gerry
“one who rules with the spear” · “one who is mighty with a spear”
>99% boys
Ted
“a gift from God” · “having heart”
>99% boys
Jan
“God is gracious”
96% boys · 4% girls
Baird
“a minstrel; a poet”
>99% boys
Rollie
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Hans
“God is gracious”
>99% boys
Ecnath
“a poet”
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