# Etymology of Elvis... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 7, 2001, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-elvis/61191 "2001-04-07T22:11:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elvisf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/49beb7/32.png) [@elvisf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elvisf)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-elvis/61191/1 "2001-04-07T22:11:41Z")
Does anyone know the origins of this name? I trace it only as far back as E. Presley’s dad. His middle name. This has gnawed at me for awhile now. Please to help? ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-elvis/61191/2 "2001-04-07T23:56:41Z")
Well, according to [this site](http://www.babynames.com.au/search-categories-origin-results.asp?Gender=Boys&Origin=Old%20Norse), it’s from Old Norse and means “all wide.” Sorry, that should be “all **wise**.” ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-elvis/61191/3 "2001-04-08T00:26:16Z")
> [@](#): > > and means “all wide.” That was Elvis at the end. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-elvis/61191/4 "2001-04-08T04:31:35Z")
BTW, another variation on Norse “all wise” is “Alvis,” which is the real first name of Country music great Buck Owens.