Girl · 74th of 9,107
Alma
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
165,228
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
3,702
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Alma stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Alma is a name of Latin origin meaning 'nurturing' or 'soul.' It evolved from the Latin word 'almus' and has been used in various forms across languages. The name reflects traits of kindness and warmth, with no direct biblical relevance. Alma gained popularity in the 19th century and continues to be favored today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæl.mə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Alma derives from the Latin word 'almus,' which means 'nurturing' or 'kind.' It is also associated with the Spanish word 'alma,' meaning 'soul.'
Meaning
nurturing, soul
Language Evolution
Almus (Latin), Alma (Spanish), Alma (English)
Historical Usage
Alma gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a feminine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Almina, Almira, Almira
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Alma is perceived as a traditional yet timeless name, often associated with warmth and kindness.
Famous People
Alma Mahler, Alma Gluck, Alma Deutscher
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,702 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1036th of 7545 | 708 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1395th of 6773 | 434 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2345th of 7552 | 228 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2797th of 10718 | 203 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3577th of 16616 | 237 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8593rd of 24088 | 114 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10526th of 23106 | 67 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 74th of 9107 | 64,784 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 140th of 9204 | 30,968 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 283rd of 12526 | 17,780 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 394th of 19264 | 9,056 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 416th of 27321 | 9,466 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 632nd of 35406 | 7,073 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 599th of 30306 | 6,143 |