Alma

♂ Boy

Pronounced AL-mah /ˈæl.mə/Medium

Meaning: Variously from Latin almus, 'nourishing; kind', Spanish alma, 'soul', and (for boys) the Book of Mormon prophet Alma; overwhelmingly a girls' name; here for boys; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Nourishing; kind; soul: Alma is Latin/Spanish. Lyrical, classic, and warm. Overwhelmingly a girls' name (here for boys).

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Origin LowLatin, Spanish

MeaningVariously from Latin almus, 'nourishing; kind', Spanish alma, 'soul', and (for boys) the Book of Mormon prophet Alma; overwhelmingly a girls' name; here for boys; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#7755 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,212

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alma comes variously from Latin almus, 'nourishing; kind', Spanish alma, 'soul', and (for boys) the Book of Mormon prophet Alma (routes layered, which we note). It is overwhelmingly a girls' name; here it is used for a boy (slug distinguished; we flag the cross-sex use). A lyrical, classic name (said 'AL-mah').

In the U.S. it is overwhelmingly a girls' name. Rare for boys, nourishing-and-soul at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Alma is variously 'nourishing; kind' (Latin), 'soul' (Spanish), and a Book of Mormon prophet (for boys) — overwhelmingly a girls' name, used here for a boy (we flag the cross-sex use; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'AL-mah').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Alma — overwhelmingly girls'; here boys'

Variations

AlmahAlmo

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Alma…

Alonzo— a sound-neighbor Al- boys' name

Amos— a fellow biblical-style boys' name

Aldo— a companion Al- boys' name

Amor— shares Alma's Spanish roots

Rene— a fellow Latin choice

Explore names like Alma

By themeuncertain latin unisex spanish

By meaningGentle / Kind

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alma mean?

Alma is variously 'nourishing; kind' (Latin), 'soul' (Spanish), and a Book of Mormon prophet (for boys); overwhelmingly a girls' name, used here for a boy.

How do you pronounce Alma?

It's said AL-mah /ˈæl.mə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alma a boy or girl name?

Alma is overwhelmingly a girls' name; this page covers its rarer use as a boy's name (e.g. in Latter-day Saint families).

How popular is Alma?

Alma is very rare as a boy's name in the U.S.