Alma

♀ Girl

Pronounced AL-mah /ˈæl.mə/High

Meaning: From Latin 'alma' meaning nourishing or kind (as in 'alma mater'), or from Hebrew 'almah' meaning young woman or maiden; also used in Spanish-speaking cultures as a word meaning soulHigh

In 30 seconds: Alma is a quietly beautiful name meaning 'soul' in Spanish and 'nourishing' in Latin. Simple and ancient, it has made a graceful comeback after decades of dormancy, beloved for its warmth and simplicity.

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Origin HighLatin, Hebrew, Spanish

MeaningFrom Latin 'alma' meaning nourishing or kind (as in 'alma mater'), or from Hebrew 'almah' meaning young woman or maiden; also used in Spanish-speaking cultures as a word meaning soul

U.S. rank (2025)#449 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births689 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 163,705

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alma carries multiple rich meanings across languages. In Latin, alma is an adjective meaning nourishing or kind, preserved in alma mater. In Hebrew, almah means young woman or maiden. In Spanish, alma means soul. All three threads have contributed to the name's use across European and Latin American cultures.

Alma was popular in Victorian and Edwardian England and the United States, partially boosted by the Battle of Alma (1854) in the Crimean War. It fell from fashion mid-20th century but has staged a warm revival in the 21st century, valued for its simplicity, depth of meaning, and vintage elegance.

Did you know? The phrase alma mater — meaning the school or university one attended — comes directly from the Latin 'alma' (nourishing) combined with 'mater' (mother), meaning 'nourishing mother.' Every use of the term keeps the name's Latin root alive.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Alma — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AlmahAlima

Nicknames

AlAllie

Famous Bearers

★Alma Mahler (1879–1964)
Austrian-born socialite and composer, wife of composer Gustav Mahler
★Alma Powell (1937–2024)
Wife of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

If you like Alma…

Flora— shares the short, elegant Latin vintage name quality

Vera— another simple, two-syllable revival name with deep meaning

Nora— shares the warm, crisp vintage feel and the same graceful simplicity

Ada— equally short and refined with the same understated classic beauty

Frequently Asked

What does Alma mean?

Alma means 'nourishing' or 'kind' in Latin (as in alma mater), 'soul' in Spanish, and 'young woman' in Hebrew — a name with beautifully layered meanings.

How do you pronounce Alma?

Alma is pronounced AL-mah /ˈæl.mə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Alma a vintage name?

Yes. Alma was popular in Victorian England and early 20th-century America, then declined mid-century. It has seen a warm revival since the 2000s.

What language does Alma come from?

Alma has roots in Latin (nourishing), Spanish (soul), and Hebrew (young woman) — all contributing to its use as a given name across multiple cultures.