Were the Istari Elves or not???

Perhaps Gandalf was an elf, in a way, after all. Gandalf derives from two words that I forgot that mean "Elf of the Wand" when you put 'em together. The two words are elvish, so The elves named him, so perhaps they saw something of themselves in him. Also, the elves have an inner light. [Example, Elrond at those fords, where Frodo saw him as a glowing being] Perhaps Gandalf's Angelic light led the elves to believe he was one of them? okay, I'm done contradicting myself now.