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The short answer
Alma is a feminine name used in English and Spanish. Behind the Name describes it this way: "This name became popular after the Battle of Alma (1854), which took place near the River Alma in Crimea and ended in a victory for Britain and France. However, the name was in rare use before the battle; it was probably inspired by Latin almus ‘nourishing’." It ranked #449 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, this name became popular after the Battle of Alma (1854), which took place near the River Alma in Crimea and ended in a victory for Britain and France. However, the name was in rare use before the battle; it was probably inspired by Latin almus ‘nourishing’. The entry lists its usage as English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and others.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Alma ranked #449 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #449 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Alma in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alma mean?
Alma means "nourishing", according to Behind the Name.
Is Alma a popular name?
Alma ranked #449 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Alma a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Alma appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Alma (1) — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
