Alma Bethune

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Alma Bethune — English
172K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Alma Bethune is a name that combines English origins. The first name Alma is a feminine given name of English origin. Alma ( AHL-mə) or (according to Jones 1997) /'ælmə/) is an English feminine given name, but has historically been used in the masculine form as well, sometimes in the form Almo. The origin of the name is debated; it may have been derived from "alma mater" ("benevolent mother", a title used for the Virgin Mary, and in antiquity, for several goddesses). It gained popularity after the Battle of Alma in the 19th century and appeared as a fashionable name for girls and a popular place name, but it has decreased in appearance in the 20th and 21st centuries. The surname Bethune: Bethune, or Béthune, is a French and Scottish surname. It originates from the name of the town of Béthune in Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. The name of the town was first recorded in the 8th century, in the Latin form Bitunia. The surname is first recorded in Scotland during the reign of King Alexander II (4 December 1214 to 8 July 1249) when charters of the abbeys of St Andrews and Arbroath name Robert de Betunia, probably a knight, Sir David de Betun, definitely a knight, and John de Betun, probably a cleric. Alma is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 172K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Alma reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Alma

English

Alma ( AHL-mə) or (according to Jones 1997) /'ælmə/) is an English feminine given name, but has historically been used in the masculine form as well, sometimes in the form Almo. The origin of the name is debated; it may have been derived from "alma mater" ("benevolent mother", a title used for the Virgin Mary, and in antiquity, for several goddesses). It gained popularity after the Battle of Alma in the 19th century and appeared as a fashionable name for girls and a popular place name, but it has decreased in appearance in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Surname: Bethune

Latin

Bethune, or Béthune, is a French and Scottish surname. It originates from the name of the town of Béthune in Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. The name of the town was first recorded in the 8th century, in the Latin form Bitunia. The surname is first recorded in Scotland during the reign of King Alexander II (4 December 1214 to 8 July 1249) when charters of the abbeys of St Andrews and Arbroath name Robert de Betunia, probably a knight, Sir David de Betun, definitely a knight, and John de Betun, probably a cleric.

Advertisement

Geographic Distribution

The first name Alma is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Alma by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Advertisement

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Alma Bethune:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

6
Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

6
Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Alma?
The first name Alma originates from English. Alma ( AHL-mə) or (according to Jones 1997) /'ælmə/) is an English feminine given name, but has historically been used in the masculine form as well, sometimes in the form Almo. The origin of the name is debated; it may have been derived from "alma mater" ("benevolent mother", a title used for the Virgin Mary, and in antiquity, for several goddesses). It gained popularity after the Battle of Alma in the 19th century and appeared as a fashionable name for girls and a popular place name, but it has decreased in appearance in the 20th and 21st centuries.
When was Alma most popular?
The name Alma reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Bethune?
The surname Bethune originates from Latin. Bethune, or Béthune, is a French and Scottish surname. It originates from the name of the town of Béthune in Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. The name of the town was first recorded in the 8th century, in the Latin form Bitunia. The surname is first recorded in Scotland during the reign of King Alexander II (4 December 1214 to 8 July 1249) when charters of the abbeys of St Andrews and Arbroath name Robert de Betunia, probably a knight, Sir David de Betun, definitely a knight, and John de Betun, probably a cleric.
What are the origins of the name Alma Bethune?
The name Alma Bethune combines two different traditions: the first name Alma has English roots, while the surname Bethune originates from Latin.
Advertisement