The nameAlma
Alma is a girl's name of Latin and Spanish origin meaning "nourishing" or "soul". Short and gentle, it is coming back in Europe.
- Girl's name
- Latin and Spanish
Meaning
In Latin, alma means "nourishing, kind", as in alma mater. In Spanish and Portuguese, alma means "soul".
Origin
Latin and Spanish. The name became popular in Britain after the battle of the Alma, in the Crimean War (1854).
History
Alma reached the American top 60 in the late 19th century and is popular again in Scandinavia and France. Alma Mahler is a famous bearer.
Alma in other languages
Alma is spelled the same in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and the Nordic countries. In Spanish and Portuguese, alma means "soul". The Battle of the Alma in Crimea (1854) gave its name to the Pont de l'Alma in Paris.
Did you know?
- Alma Mahler married in turn the composer Gustav Mahler, the architect Walter Gropius and the writer Franz Werfel.
Famous people named Alma
- Alma Mahler, composer
- Alma Reville, screenwriter and wife of Hitchcock
- Alma Deutscher, composer
Popularity of the name Alma
Alma in the United States
Alma was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 30,759 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Alma. Half of all babies named Alma in the United States were born before 1927, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 627 births a year on average, against 449 in the five years before.
Alma in the United Kingdom
Alma was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 1,182 births over the decade, 55% of all recorded babies named Alma. Its rise began around 2006, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Alma in the United Kingdom were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 204 births a year on average, against 125 in the five years before.
Alma in Ireland
Alma in France
Alma in Belgium
Alma in Switzerland
Alma in Austria
Alma in Norway
Sibling names for Alma
Names from the same generation as Alma, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Alma? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Alma with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Alma side by side with the name of your choice.
Alma in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alma mean?
In Latin, alma means "nourishing, kind", as in alma mater. In Spanish and Portuguese, alma means "soul".
What is the origin of the name Alma?
Latin and Spanish. The name became popular in Britain after the battle of the Alma, in the Crimean War (1854).
Is Alma a girl's or a boy's name?
Alma is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Alma?
In 2024, Alma was the 472nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 653 births.
What are good sibling names for Alma?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Sylvia, Regina, Celina and Paula for a sister, Francis, Marcel, Pablo and Frederick for a brother.
Who are famous people named Alma?
Alma Mahler, composer; Alma Reville, screenwriter and wife of Hitchcock; Alma Deutscher, composer.