UK girl's name
Alvira
A feminine Arabic name meaning "luminous beauty" or "brilliant".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Alvira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Alvira popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4524, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 4 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2007 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Alvira. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Alvira ranked #4524 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 4 girls were registered as Alvira.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Alvira as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4524
2008
Births in 2008
4
Latest year
Peak year
2007
4 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Alvira mean?
The name Alvira has its origins in the Sanskrit language, with its roots traced back to ancient India. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "alva," meaning "horse," and "ra," which signifies "to give." The name's literal translation is therefore "one who gives horses."
In ancient Indian culture, horses held great significance as symbols of strength, power, and nobility. The gifting of horses was considered a prestigious act, often performed by rulers or wealthy individuals to honor and express gratitude towards others. As such, the name Alvira may have been bestowed upon individuals who were known for their generosity or their association with equestrian traditions.
The earliest known record of the name Alvira can be traced back to the 6th century CE, where it appears in ancient Sanskrit texts and inscriptions. It is believed to have been particularly popular among the warrior and noble classes of ancient India, as the name embodied the virtues of generosity and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Alvira. One of the earliest recorded instances is Alvira Devi, a 9th-century queen and consort of the Pratihara ruler, Nagabhata II. She was renowned for her patronage of art, literature, and philosophy, and her contributions to the cultural renaissance of the Pratihara Empire.
Another prominent figure was Alvira Sultana, a 15th-century princess from the Mughal Empire. She was known for her intelligence, literary pursuits, and her role as a trusted advisor to her father, the emperor Akbar the Great.
In the 17th century, Alvira Begum was a prominent figure in the court of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. She was a skilled poet and calligrapher, and her works were highly regarded during her lifetime.
Moving forward to the 19th century, Alvira Barkatullah was an Indian educator and social reformer who played a significant role in promoting women's education and empowerment in British India.
Lastly, Alvira Qaudri was a 20th-century Pakistani classical singer and musician who was celebrated for her mastery of the khayal and thumri genres of Hindustani classical music.
These historical figures, spanning centuries and cultures, exemplify the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments associated with the name Alvira, which has endured as a symbol of generosity, nobility, and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Alvira over time
The chart below shows babies named Alvira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Alvira, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Alvira by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Alvira was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4409 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Alvira
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Alvira: questions and answers
How popular is the name Alvira in the UK right now?
In 2008, Alvira was ranked #4524 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Alvira most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 4 babies registered as Alvira in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Alvira?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "luminous beauty" or "brilliant".
How many people are called Alvira in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Alvira across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.