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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Do you like this name.....

78 replies

jasminetealeaves · 28/10/2020 12:42

Thinking of naming our baby Alma, love the way it sounds, soft and calm. Also love it's meaning in other languages. Thoughts please...

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WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 04/11/2020 20:16

Sorry, I don't like it.

Coronation flashbacks too 🤣

But also I don't like the way it feels to say. Too 'mouthy'

Capamile · 04/11/2020 20:07

It’s fine.
As for an old lady name, that’s the fashion now - think Elsie, Ethel, Marnie, Dorothy, Bessie etc...all of which are becoming more commonplace.

MinnieJackson · 04/11/2020 18:51

I like it

Twinkie01 · 04/11/2020 17:33

Barlow?

Was she even a Barlow or maybe a Baldwin?

Leathery skin and lashings of black eyeliner flood my memory when I hear that name!

Dollywilde · 04/11/2020 17:14

Me too @GetTheGoodLookingGuy and @quietpersonattheback! Nothing wrong with the name but it screams overweight to me stupidly as a result Blush it’s not a well known enough reference to worry the OP I guess but such a weird brain quirk..

Zolaanna · 04/11/2020 17:09

Absolutely awful! Frumpy and ugly. Poor kid

However I seem to like names that MN hate and vice versa.

Whatthebloodyell · 04/11/2020 16:57

Is it ahlma or arlma?

YoniAndGuy · 04/11/2020 16:42

No, sorry. To me it sounds fat and dumpy, I don't know why!

Also Al as a nickname. No thanks.

starkid · 04/11/2020 15:15

I'm not keen personally, but I agree it is soft and calm sounding

LaMadrilena · 04/11/2020 14:54

Quite common here in Spain, where it means "soul." I think it's lovely, it's definitely on my list.

quietpersonattheback · 04/11/2020 13:53

@GetTheGoodLookingGuy

Makes me think of Alma Pudden from the St Clare's books...
Same Grin isn’t it strange how you get these associations! There’s nothing wrong with it, but that’s the only Alma I ‘know’!
Antonin · 04/11/2020 13:41

The name became popular after the Battle in the Crimean War so has definite Victorian associations. Similar to Verdun during and after WWI.
To me it’s a rather wish’s washy stuck in the mouth sound. I guess it sounds very different pronounced in Danish etc.
Not objectionable, though and you could do worse — all a matter of taste and association

17caterpillars1mouse · 03/11/2020 11:51

Beautiful name. I like it

hoorayformatcha · 03/11/2020 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

diddl · 31/10/2020 14:23

Makes me think of the Crimean War & the Fairie Queene.

I don't find it either lovely or awful, so wouldn't have a strong reaction either way!

MetalheadMel · 31/10/2020 13:49

Aww it's really lovely. Definitely not popular in the UK. You can always check the ons stats if you're concerned about picking too popular a name xx

Original poster
jasminetealeaves · 29/10/2020 16:47

@TheYearOfSmallThings I thought you explained it brilliantly!

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 29/10/2020 16:23

Well fair play to you, because I did not explain that well Grin

Original poster
jasminetealeaves · 29/10/2020 16:21

Hahaha @TheYearOfSmallThings I totally get what you mean about the pronunciation actually!

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 29/10/2020 15:48

I'm now worried it'll get popular and there'll be lots of Almas!?

Not at all - I only notice them because of my cousin's DD. Some of the ones I've met had European parents (as indeed does my cousin's DD). The only time I've seen two in one place was in the balance bike class at the Olympic Velodrome, randomly.

I don't know why I find it hard to pronounce - I think I say AL(uh)ma in an effort not to swallow the L and say Awma.

Paraplu · 29/10/2020 15:44

Not sure if it will become super popular in the UK. I think it’s too niche here. It has been an established European name (Alma Mahler, Danish politicians etc). London has many Scandi/French/etc parents, bringing the name with them. But who knows!

Original poster
jasminetealeaves · 29/10/2020 15:28

I'm now worried it'll get popular and there'll be lots of Almas!?

OP posts:
RunningFromWaterGhoul · 29/10/2020 12:26

I like it

aceyace · 29/10/2020 12:22

It's ok

Pinnacular · 29/10/2020 12:10

Definitely due a resurgence. Love it.