The story behind Alma
Usually explained as Latin alma (“nourishing, kind”). It has also been used as a short form of Germanic compound names beginning with the element Amal-, as in Amelia.
Other language forms and explanations (2)
Finnish entry
From Latin alma, but see also English Alma.
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Alma.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): AA1 L M AH0
Regional pronunciation variants
- Finnish: /ˈɑlmɑ/
- Finnish: [ˈɑ̝lmɑ̝]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈʔalma/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈʔal.mɐ]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Alma ranked #449 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Alma
Aisaya
Borrowed from English Isaiah.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Althea
From Althaia or Althaea of Greek mythology, from Ancient Greek Ἀλθαία (Althaía). Borrowed from English Althea.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Andrea
Latinate feminine form of Andreas and Andrew. Borrowed from Italian Andrea. From Latin Andreās, from Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas). Due to the loss of the final S, the…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anna
From Late Latin Anna both directly and via numerous other languages, chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anndra
From Latin Andreās, from Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέᾱς (Andréās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aura
Shortened from Aurora.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Alma
Ian
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin. Unadapted borrowing from English Ian. Doublet of João, Ivan, Jean, Ruan, and Geovane. Borrowed from English Ian, from Scottish Gaelic…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Job
From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”). Ultimately from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends B
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Alma
Blue
From the German surname, Americanized from Blau or its French cognate bleu.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Cato
From Latin Cato. A cognomen made particularly famous by Cato the Elder and Younger, members of the gens Porcia.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Colm
From Irish Colm, from Late Latin Columba (literally “dove”), the name of a sixth century saint, one of the patron saints of Ireland and Scotland. Doublet of Calum. From Middle…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection