Alva

[Leeloo1233]

What do you think of this female name mostly given in Scandinavia?

It made me think vulva

Vulva here, too. Sorry.

@MitheringSunday

Can't say I've ever seen them - but going back to Alva, shoehorning a vulva association in there is rather juvenile tbh.

It's not shoehorning. It's an honest answer. When I hear Alva I also think Vulva. Hardly juvenile.

Reminds me of baby eels (elver). I like Alba though.

Don’t go for Alba - it’s Alex Salmond and the name of every skip hire and taxi company in Scotland.

Oh I'd forgotten Alex Salmond decided to call his new party Alba.

I really wouldn't use it as a child's name in the UK. It's like calling a kid Anglise, the French word for England.

Alba is also a Spanish name (meaning Dawn), I've met a few in London / South East.

*dawn / light not Dawn

I like it and would say do it. If you’re not sure though based on all the vulva comments- the Icelandic and Danish spelling of this name is Elva which is also very nice.

If you like the “A” at the beginning, maybe consider “Ayla” or “Aila”. Aila I believe is Scottish and Finnish meaning “from the strong place”. Ayla is often used as a variant spelling but has meanings in several languages- I have met several Danish people with this name but it is also Turkish I believe and relates to the moon or moonlight when used there.

Alternatively “Ailsa” which is common in Scotland (lovely too). Ailsa may or may not have roots in the same word as Alva- Alva comes from old norse for “Elf”, Ailsa is often attributed to being from Ailsa Craig. Some argue that Ailsa may be derived also from the norse word for “elf” via Gaelic (the belief is that it translates to Fairy Rock in English- with Fairy and Elf being used to mean the same thing here).

Also, Alfira, Elfira, Alvira and Elvira. I met a lovely lady called Elvira from Orkney once and it always makes me think of her. Different source (I think it means something like “true” or “truth” and is of germanic origin? Maybe check that one!)

They are just some alternatives just in case but I like Alva so do it if it feels right :)

I also thought Vulva as soon as I read it.