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Original poster

Alba?

51 replies

xXjunebugXx · 13/05/2014 00:19

Opinions on this name please.

It has really grown on me but struggling with a middle name to go along side it. Do you think Isobel goes well?

Thanks x

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WearYourPinkGloveBabe · 15/05/2014 10:10

I love it, it's beautiful.

I think of it as a Spanish name.

florascotia · 15/05/2014 10:04

Sorry Peppin - I was writing too quickly. Of course you are right. I meant to say 'white in Latin, dawn in Italian and Spanish'.

Jeordie · 15/05/2014 09:31

I love the name Alba. But as said above, DH vetoed it straight away because of the link with the stereos.

Fideline987654321 · 15/05/2014 08:39

Lovely, lovely, lovely name Smile

AberdeenAngusina · 15/05/2014 08:35

If I met an Alba who wasn't obviously Spanish or Italian, I would pronounce it with a sort of puff of breath on the "b" which would make it sound more like Al-apah. And I don't think I'm a real idiot. That's how it's pronounced in Gaelic.

Even people who don't speak Gaelic will have come across Alba meaning Scotland if they live in Scotland - there's BBC Alba, it's on lots of official government stuff, etc.

peppinagiro · 15/05/2014 04:13

florascotia it doesn't mean white in Italian, it means dawn. Same as Spanish.

I don't really like it, but really don't see how it would be pronounced incorrectly. People would say it exactly as it's written - al-ba. There are no strange diphthongs or vowels that could be mangled. They'd have to try reeeeally hard to get that wrong - and I've met some real idiots :)

AberdeenAngusina · 14/05/2014 23:08

Listen to Runrig's "Alba" on You Tube for the Gaelic pronunciation.

SquirrelledAway · 14/05/2014 16:38

Thane the Scots Gaelic pronunciation is more like "Al-a-pa".

TheScience · 14/05/2014 14:31

I would assume it is Al-bah and I reckon most people would say it that way. If you're not living in Scotland then probably not an issue.

squoosh · 14/05/2014 13:49

The Scottish Alba sounds like Alla-pa to my ears.

ThaneOfScunthorpe · 14/05/2014 13:43

Oh I see, squirrelled. I've only heard the Spanish pronunciation. Is the alternative commonly used then? How do you pronounce the Gaelic version?

KeithTheCat · 14/05/2014 13:31

I love*

KeithTheCat · 14/05/2014 13:30

of love Alba! our top girls name, along with Isla.

orangepudding · 14/05/2014 13:07

Alba makes me think of cheap stereos, my children wouldn't think of that.

applecharlotte · 14/05/2014 13:06

LOVE. Was our girl choice for DS who is an Albie instead.

TheCowThatLaughs · 14/05/2014 13:04

I like it but it does remind me of cheap stereos as pps have said. That might be me showing my advancing age though!

SquirrelledAway · 14/05/2014 13:02

Thane Think the Time Traveller's Wife uses the Spanish pronunciation of Alba, not the Gaelic - if you've gone with that version that's why you haven't heard anyone mispronounce it.

drinkingtea · 14/05/2014 12:50

Isla?

Aprilray · 14/05/2014 12:44

I absolutely love Alba (my husband is Scottish and the time travellers wife is my favourite book), I went and used it on my cat though and wish I had saved it for a future daughter.
I think Alba Rose is very pretty.

Original poster
xXjunebugXx · 14/05/2014 11:55

I'm not sue around the referendum, so definitely no political statement.

Can't use Iona as there is one in the family!

OP posts:
upyourninja · 13/05/2014 19:00

I love it and it was on our shortlist, for Latin links rather than Scots.

I think Alba Isobel is difficult though - the two vowel shapes/sounds are hard to run together.

How about Alba Mirabel/Maribel?

SingSongSlummy · 13/05/2014 18:55

I nearly chose Alba (I have Spanish roots) but went with Alma instead!

mammaof4girls · 13/05/2014 18:50

I absolutely love the name alba (time travellers wife fan!) my husband does not share my love for the name (or the film!) I have 4 girls and I'm pregnant with our 5th and im definitely not allowed to use the name Sad I think alba rose sounds lovely, but I agree that alba isobel doesnt quite sound right. x

PepperMallow · 13/05/2014 18:13

I know of an Alba (aged approx. 3) whose Mum is Spanish. I think it's pretty. How about Jasmin(e) as a MN?

Leeds2 · 13/05/2014 17:28

There is a girl in DD's school called Alba. Her parents are both Spanish.

I think it is lovely, although maybe not with Isobel.