"nourishing, kind"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Alma
Pronunciation: [ AHLM-uh ]
Does Alma flow with your last name?
Soul in Spanish, nourishing in Latin — a name of depth
Latin
Spanish
English
Hebrew
Vintage
Elegant
Classic
Gentle
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Alma
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Alma
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"soul"
Origin: Spanish
Language: Spanish
"young woman, maiden"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Alma
See all →What the Alma report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Alma the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Alma
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Alma head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Alma actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Alma
Alma carries multiple linguistic roots, each adding to its rich meaning. From Latin, 'alma' is the feminine form of 'almus,' meaning nourishing or kind, used in classical Latin epithets like 'alma mater' (nourishing mother). In Spanish, 'alma' means soul. From Hebrew, Alma comes from 'almah,' meaning young woman or maiden, the same word used in Isaiah 7:14. This rare convergence of Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew meanings makes Alma an exceptionally meaningful name.
Alma was a top-100 US name in the early 20th century and faded mid-century as naming tastes shifted. It has been experiencing a stylish revival in the 2010s and 2020s, part of the trend reclaiming great-grandmother names: Hazel, Cora, Vera, and Alma are all back.
Alma Mahler — wife of composer Gustav Mahler and later of architect Walter Gropius and writer Franz Werfel — became one of the most culturally prominent women of early 20th century Vienna, making the name synonymous with artistic muse and intellectual life. In Spanish-speaking cultures, alma (soul) carries profound spiritual weight.
Historical Record
Alma first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 44,950 babies have been named Alma in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Alma is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #472 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Alma Mater, meaning nourishing mother in Latin, is used worldwide to refer to one's university
- Alma Mahler was simultaneously involved with painter Oskar Kokoschka, composer Gustav Mahler, and architect Walter Gropius — a central figure of the Viennese artistic world
Alma in Other Languages
French
Alma
German
Alma
Hebrew
אַלְמָה
Italian
Alma
Spanish
Alma
Popularity Over Time
#472
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Alma
A
Alma Cogan
Musician
1932
British singer who was one of the highest-paid female entertainers in the UK in the 1950s, known as The Girl with the La...
British singer who was one of the highest-paid female entertainers in the UK in the 1950s, known as The Girl with the Laugh in Her Voice
A
Alma Mahler
Other
1879
Austrian composer and cultural figure, wife of Gustav Mahler, Walter Gropius, and Franz Werfel; central muse of Viennese...
Austrian composer and cultural figure, wife of Gustav Mahler, Walter Gropius, and Franz Werfel; central muse of Viennese modernism
A
Alma Coin Fictional
Politician
Fictional President of District 13 and antagonist in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, played by Julianne Moor...
Fictional President of District 13 and antagonist in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, played by Julianne Moore in the films
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Amalia
Girl
"work, industrious"
#551
Kayla
Girl
"beautiful, graceful"
#336
Madeleine
Girl
"of the Magdalene order"
#437
Estelle
Girl
"star"
#636
Sarai
Girl
"my princess, my noblewoman"
#445
Compare Alma with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #472
- Total SSA Count
- 653
- Cultural Origins
- Latin Spanish English Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Allie
Al
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Alma
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Alma fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Alma is also used as a boy name, ranked #8524.
View Alma as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Alma →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Alma with...
Same Origin Names (Latin)
See all Latin names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Alma
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Alma and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Alma sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Amalia
Girl
Germanic origin
"work, industrious"
#551 in US
Kayla
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"beautiful, graceful"
#336 in US
Madeleine
Girl
Latin via French origin
"of the Magdalene order"
#437 in US
Estelle
Girl
French origin
"star"
#636 in US
Sarai
Girl
Hebrew (sar + possessive -ai) origin
"my princess, my noblewoman"
#445 in US
Keira
Girl
Old Irish origin
"dark complexioned, shadowy"
#609 in US
Cecelia
Girl
Latin origin
"of the Caecilii, ancient Roman clan"
#568 in US
Emory
Girl
Germanic origin
"home strength, brave power"
#330 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Alma's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alma
What does the name Alma mean?
"nourishing, kind" (from Latin). "soul" (from Spanish). "young woman, maiden" (from Hebrew). Alma carries multiple linguistic roots, each adding to its rich meaning. From Latin, 'alma' is the feminine form of 'almus,' meaning nourishing or kind, used in classical Latin epithets like 'alma mater' (nourishing mother). In Spanish, 'alma' means soul. From Hebrew, Alma comes from 'almah,' meaning young woman or maiden, the same word used in Isaiah 7:14. This rare convergence of Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew meanings makes Alma an exceptionally meaningful name.
What is the origin of the name Alma?
Alma has Latin, Spanish, Hebrew, and English origins. In Latin, it means "nourishing, kind". In Spanish, it means "soul". In Hebrew, it means "young woman, maiden".
Is Alma a boy or girl name?
Alma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #472. As a boy name, it is ranked #8524. Alma is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Alma?
Alma is pronounced AHLM-uh.
How popular is the name Alma?
Alma is currently ranked #472 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alma?
Common nicknames for Alma include Allie.
What are good middle names for Alma?
Popular middle name pairings include Alma Rose, Alma Jean, Alma Mae, Alma Claire, Alma Louise, Alma Frances, and Alma Grace.
What are good sibling names for Alma?
Names that pair well with Alma as siblings include Cora, Vera, Flora, Hazel, Nora, Ernest, and Aldo.
How many syllables does Alma have?
Alma has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Alma a common or rare name?
Alma is a popular name, ranked #472 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Alma
Alma is a girl name with Latin, Spanish, English, and Hebrew origins . The name means "nourishing, kind" in Latin .
Is Alma a boy or girl name? Alma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #472 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,524. Alma is more commonly used as a girl name.
Alma is currently ranked #472 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Alma has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHLM-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Alma include Allie and Al. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Alma
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis