When was Alma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Alma Tam?

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

Alma Tam — 172K & 13K bearers

Alma Tam 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 Tam: Tan is a common Chinese surname 譚. It is the 56th most commonly borne surname in China. Origin Two origins have been suggested for the Tan surname: The surname came from the ancient State of Tan which was located in the western part of what is now Shandong Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, this state was conquered by the neighbouring State of Qi. The court changed their surname to Tan in remembrance of their defeated homeland, and later prospered in Hunan Province. 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: Tam

Vietnamese

Tan is a common Chinese surname 譚. It is the 56th most commonly borne surname in China. Origin Two origins have been suggested for the Tan surname: The surname came from the ancient State of Tan which was located in the western part of what is now Shandong Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, this state was conquered by the neighbouring State of Qi. The court changed their surname to Tan in remembrance of their defeated homeland, and later prospered in Hunan Province.

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 Tam

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 Tam:

7

Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

3

Soul Urge Number

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

4

Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

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 Tam?: The surname Tam originates from Vietnamese. Tan is a common Chinese surname 譚. It is the 56th most commonly borne surname in China. Origin Two origins have been suggested for the Tan surname: The surname came from the ancient State of Tan which was located in the western part of what is now Shandong Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, this state was conquered by the neighbouring State of Qi. The court changed their surname to Tan in remembrance of their defeated homeland, and later prospered in Hunan Province.
What are the origins of the name Alma Tam?: The name Alma Tam combines two different traditions: the first name Alma has English roots, while the surname Tam originates from Vietnamese.