Alma

How to say it

ˈɑːl.mə

What it means

From the Latin almus, 'nourishing, kind,' and the Spanish and Italian alma, 'soul.'

Alma carries two warm meanings. In Latin almus means 'nourishing' or 'kind,' the source of alma mater, 'nourishing mother.' In Spanish and Italian alma simply means 'soul.' The name got an early boost from the 1854 Battle of Alma and has a soft, old-world grace. Brief and heartfelt, said AHL-muh.

How to spell Alma

The standard spelling is Alma. Common variants include Allma, Almah, but Alma is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Spelling

  Means 'soul' in Spanish and Italian.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Alma Mahler Austrian composer and figure of Vienna's early twentieth-century cultural scene
• Alma Deutscher British composer and pianist

Spelling variants

• Allma
• Almah

Names with the same feeling

• Amara Grace, or 'eternal'
• Ana Grace, favor
• Selena Moon
• Aurora Dawn
• Luna Moon

See Alma from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Alma mean?

From the Latin almus, 'nourishing, kind,' and the Spanish and Italian alma, 'soul.'

What does Alma mean in Latin?

In Latin, Alma means "Nourishing; soul." Alma carries two warm meanings. In Latin almus means 'nourishing' or 'kind,' the source of alma mater, 'nourishing mother.' In Spanish and Italian alma simply means 'soul.' The name got an early boost from the 1854 Battle of Alma and has a soft, old-world grace. Brief and heartfelt, said AHL-muh.

How do you pronounce Alma?

Alma is pronounced ˈɑːl.mə. Say it as AL-ma, with the stress on the "al" syllable.

How do you spell Alma?

The standard spelling is Alma. Common spelling variants include Allma, Almah.

Is Alma a boy or girl name?

Alma is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Alma?

Alma ranked #449 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.