The name Alvis has its origins in Old Norse and Old English, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse name Älviss, which itself comes from the words "alfr" meaning "elf" and "vitr" meaning "wise". In Old English, the name was rendered as Ælfisc or Ælfwine, with similar meanings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alvis is found in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems from the 13th century. In the poem "Alvíssmál", Alvis is a dwarf who competes with the god Thor in a battle of wits, highlighting the association of the name with wisdom and intelligence.

In the Middle Ages, the name Alvis was relatively uncommon but not unheard of. One notable bearer of the name was Alvis of Corbeil (c. 1030-1109), a French philosopher and theologian who taught at the cathedral school of Chartres and wrote influential works on grammar and logic.

During the Renaissance period, the name Alvis gained some popularity in certain regions of Europe. Alvis Ludolphus (1595-1663) was a German philologist and theologian who made significant contributions to the study of Ethiopic language and literature.

In the 19th century, the name Alvis was occasionally used, although it remained relatively rare. Alvis Edgar Owen (1828-1899) was a Welsh clergyman and author who wrote on religious and historical topics.

Another notable bearer of the name was Alvis Hermanis (1866-1942), a Latvian painter and art teacher who played a significant role in the development of Latvian national art in the early 20th century.

While the name Alvis has never been extremely common, it has persisted throughout history, carrying the connotations of wisdom, intelligence, and connection to ancient mythology and folklore.