Alma
Alma is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Nourishing, kind, or soul.
Origin and history
Alma is a classic name derived from Latin meaning 'nourishing' or 'kind', and later associated with the Spanish word for 'soul'. Though far more common for females, it has a documented history of masculine usage in the United States dating back to the 19th century.
Popularity in the United States
2,219 babies in the United States have been named Alma since 1880. It ranks #2743 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1894.
States where it is most popular
- UT (78.2 %)
- CA (11.5 %)
- ID (4.4 %)
- TX (4 %)
- GA (0.95 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 97 |
| 1890-1900 | 111 |
| 1900-1910 | 112 |
| 1910-1920 | 344 |
| 1920-1930 | 325 |
| 1930-1940 | 280 |
| 1940-1950 | 150 |
| 1950-1960 | 120 |
| 1960-1970 | 99 |
| 1970-1980 | 136 |
| 1980-1990 | 162 |
| 1990-2000 | 128 |
| 2000-2010 | 69 |
| 2010-2019 | 53 |
| 2020-2029 | 33 |
Famous people named Alma
- Alma Richards: Athlete, Olympic Medalist
Fun facts
- The name saw increased usage in the English-speaking world following the 1854 Battle of the Alma in the Crimean War.
- It translates to 'nourishing' in Latin, 'soul' in Spanish, and 'young woman' in Hebrew.