Elvis (name)


Elvis is a male given name that first appears as that of a Saint Elvis, a figure said to be active in medieval Wales. While the name features in early Welsh literature and is of Celtic origin, it is uncertain if the name was originally Irish or Welsh.
The name has also become predominantly associated in contemporary culture since the mid-twentieth century with the American singer Elvis Presley.

Usage

The name most commonly refers to American singer and actor Elvis Presley. Earlier bearers of the name include American government official and college administrator Elvis Jacob Stahr Jr.. In most cases, however, it refers to people who have the name as a tribute to Elvis Presley. People in this latter group includes those who changed their names themselves, and those who were named Elvis by their parents.

Saint Elvis

The saint's name is given as Eilfyw in Welsh, Ailbe in Irish, and Elvis in later English translations. Writing in the late 11th century Buchedd Dewi, Rhigyfarch states that a Saint Elvis baptised Saint David at Porthclais. Welsh traditions suggest that Elvis spent much of his life in this area, as he is said to have fostered the young St David while serving as bishop of Menevia. There remains a number of places associated with the saint that bear the name "Elvis" in the St Davids area, including a burial chamber, a shrine, the Parish of St Elvis, St Elvis farm and St Elvis's Well.
If the saint's name is of a Welsh origin, the Irish version Ailbe may be a gaelicisation of an Ancient British name ancestral to modern Welsh Eilfyw or Eilfw. Alternatively, the name may be related or identical to the Brythonic names Elwen, Eluan and Elvan, the names of a number of several attested saints venerated in early medieval Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. Or even from the surname Elwes. If the name is of Welsh origin, it may derive from the Old Welsh elfydd, ultimately from the common Celtic root albio-
A folk etymology is suggested for a Gaelic origin of the name in the 14th-century Vita Albei, deriving it from ail and beo.

Other proposed etymologies

In medieval French sources, the unrelated homograph Elvis occurs as a feminine name, a variant of Helvis, Helvise, Aluysa, Alaisa, from a Germanic name such as Alwis.
The name may also be derived from the Scandinavian Old Norse word Alviss which in Norse mythology means ''all-wise.''

People with the name

Musicians

Athletes (association football)

Athletes (other sports)

Other

Fictional characters