Alf is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse elements 'álfr' and 'ál'. The name has a strong historical association with Norse mythology, where 'álfar' refers to elves or fairies. In Middle English, Alf was used as a term for an elf or sprite, further solidifying its mystical connotations.
Alf is also found in various languages and cultures beyond Scandinavia. For instance, it appears in Arabic as 'Ali', which means 'elevated' or 'lofty'. In Welsh, Alf is equivalent to the name 'Alaw', meaning 'blessed'.
In literature and popular culture, Alf has been immortalized in several notable works. The most famous is perhaps the American sitcom 'ALF' (1986-1990), which centers around a friendly alien named Gordon Shumway, better known by his nickname ALF ('Alien Life Form'). Other appearances include the ancient Norse poem 'Völuspá', where Álfr is mentioned as one of three beings living before the world's creation.
The name Alf experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the given period, with a notable increase in births during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in 1916 with 38 births. However, its usage began to decline steadily after World War I, reaching an all-time low between the mid-1940s to the late 1970s, with fewer than 10 births per year during many of those years.