When was Alma most popular?

The name Alma reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Alma Shay?

The name Alma Shay combines two different traditions: the first name Alma has English roots, while the surname Shay originates from Hebrew.

Alma Shay — 172K & 9K bearers

Alma Shay 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 Shay: Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha. 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: Shay

Hebrew

Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha.

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

Notable People Named Alma Shay

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

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

8

Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3

Soul Urge Number

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

5

Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

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 Shay?: The surname Shay originates from Hebrew. Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha.
What are the origins of the name Alma Shay?: The name Alma Shay combines two different traditions: the first name Alma has English roots, while the surname Shay originates from Hebrew.