Alma

Alma is a girl's name with very different origins and meanings. As an Italian name of Latin origin, Alma derives from the Latin word almus meaning 'nourishing'.

What does the name Alma mean?

Alma is a girl's name with very different origins and meanings. As an Italian name of Latin origin, Alma derives from the Latin word almus meaning 'nourishing'. Thus, the name Alma means 'the Nourishing'. The well-known term Alma Mater ('nourishing mother') is an old designation for a university. However, the first name Alma can also be of Hebrew origin and refer to the Hebrew word almáh meaning 'young woman, maiden'. In this case, the meaning of the name is 'the young woman'. Alma is also an old short form of Gothic first names that begin with 'Amal-' (from Gothic amals meaning 'brave, capable') and trace back to the Ostrogothic ruling family of the Amalers, such as Amalberga and Amalgundis. In this case, the name Alma means 'the Brave' or 'the Capable'. Additionally, the name or the word 'Alma' appears in many other languages. For example, alma is the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese word for 'soul', but also the Hungarian word for 'apple'. In Arabic, it means 'on the water'. In mythology, Alma is also a mythical being whose name comes from the Mongolian word Almas meaning 'wild man' or 'the Wild'. However, none of these translations are connected to the first name Alma. Alma was already a popular German girl's name in the 19th century, but gradually fell out of fashion at the beginning of the 20th century and later became almost completely forgotten. However, for some time now, the name Alma has been very popular again. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it is now among the most popular female first names, as well as in Spain and all of Scandinavia. The most well-known bearer of the name was the Austrian artist Alma Mahler-Werfel (1879–1964).

Where does the name Alma come from?

The etymology of Alma is a female first name of Latin and Gothic origin with meanings such as 'the Nourishing' or 'the Brave' and others. Gothic Hebrew Latin Ostrogothic

How do you pronounce Alma?

Sound & pronunciation of Alma: The name Alma is two syllables and soft in tone. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'Al-ma' [ˈalma], starting with an open 'a' that conveys warmth. The flowing connection to the second syllable gives the name harmony. Alma appears timeless and gentle - simple, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Alma?

The name day for Alma is on July 10 (Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge and Saint Amalberga of Ghent), August 30 (Saint Amaltrud of Jumièges), and November 21 (Saint Amalberga of Susteren).

Popularity

In Germany, the girl's name Alma was already part of the established top group in the late 19th century and mostly ranged between the top 20 and top 50. The period around 1898 was particularly strong (top 25), as well as in the 1900s with repeated placements in the top 30. It remained predominantly in the top 100 until the early 1930s. From the 1930s onwards, there was a continuous decline.

Nicknames & pet names

Allie / Ally / Almachen / Almchen / Alme / Almi / Almica / Almie / Almieke / Almigurt / Almina / Alminchen / Almine / Almita / Almitsch / Alms / Almschi / Almski / Almush / Kuhalma / Ma / Mallie / Mieke / Mine / Palma / Palmi / Schmalma / Älmeken / Älmken

Similar first names

Famous people

• Alma Allen (American sculptor)
• Alma Beltran (1919-2007, Mexican actress)
• Alma Cardzic (singer from Yugoslavia)
• Alma Claire Williams (American opera singer)
• Alma Coin (character from 'The Hunger Games - Mockingjay')
• Alma Cuervo (actress from the USA)
• Alma de Groen (writer from Australia)
• Alma Del Banco (painter from Germany)
• Alma del Banco (1862–1943, German painter)
• Alma Delfina (actress from Mexico)
• Alma Deutscher ('Wunderkind', composer, pianist, violinist)
• Alma the Brown Bear (mother of Max from the Bielefeld Zoo)
• Alma Elizabeth Deutscher (English composer)
• Alma Fahlstroem (Norwegian actress)
• Alma Gluck (American opera singer)
• Alma Haas (pianist from Germany)
• Alma Hadzibeganovic (Yugoslav writer)
• Alma Hitchcock (wife of Alfred Hitchcock)
• Alma Hunt (cricketer from Great Britain)
• Alma Hütter-Krause (German opera singer)