Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on girls name Alba

87 replies

Englishmummy · 10/11/2024 19:33

Me and my DH both love the name Alba, we like the link to the Spanish and a Italian meaning ‘Dawn’ and it’s also growing a lot in popularity in France (DH is French I’m English and we live in England currently). My concern is the Scottish connotations with the world meaning Scotland in Gaelic. Would people find this weird?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Skybluepinky · 18/11/2024 19:50

Grandparents beaten up old radio.

CrimsonVioletTeal · 18/11/2024 19:35

SirChenjins · 18/11/2024 17:58

That’s interesting - I’ve only heard people saying it’s the name of every skip and taxi firm up here!

Show quote history

I should add, this was a few years ago, prior to the formation of the political party!

Carouselfish · 18/11/2024 18:22

Byron and Claire Claremonts daughter.

SirChenjins · 18/11/2024 17:58

CrimsonVioletTeal · 18/11/2024 17:55

I'm in Scotland. I knew a Spanish couple living here who named their daughter Alba, not knowing it meant Scotland. They said they were overwhelmed by the number of people who loved the name and thought they'd chosen it because she was born in Scotland.

That’s interesting - I’ve only heard people saying it’s the name of every skip and taxi firm up here!

CrimsonVioletTeal · 18/11/2024 17:55

I'm in Scotland. I knew a Spanish couple living here who named their daughter Alba, not knowing it meant Scotland. They said they were overwhelmed by the number of people who loved the name and thought they'd chosen it because she was born in Scotland.

Katiesaidthat · 18/11/2024 15:18

Alba is a lovely name, very popular now for some years in Spain. Always in the top names for girls.

whosaoife04 · 18/11/2024 14:51

Do you live in Scotland?

BibbityBobbityToo · 17/11/2024 17:56

It's becoming quite common* in Scotland but most people pronounce it the anglicised way 'Al-ba' (how it looks written down) and not the correct Gaelic pronunciation of 'Al-a-bah'.

(* common as in certain types of SNP supporters who have a thing about Braveheart)

SauvignonBlanche · 17/11/2024 17:54

This I what I think of.

Thoughts on girls name Alba
Fireworknight · 17/11/2024 17:50

It’s gaining popularity where I live. I’d never heard of it until recently, but have since come across a couple. I think it’s going to be one of those names where parents think they’re being original, only to find it’s done his gained traction.

pixie12 · 17/11/2024 17:46

I prefer Ada

RobertaFirmino · 13/11/2024 22:42

How about Matsui?

EastLondonCoffeeFiend · 13/11/2024 21:45

I really like it, and have never heard of the electronics brand (I’m in my 30s). The Scottish connection didn’t spring to mind tbh, as someone based in England. So I’d say go for it!

Snorlaxo · 11/11/2024 01:12

Feelingstrange2 · 10/11/2024 19:34

Sounds like the name of a cheap radio

The Argos budget electronics range was (is?) called Alba

JRorBobby · 11/11/2024 01:09

I didn't know it meant Scotland

I did know however, that it means White. (Latin). My son has a very close name and is also connected to Alba.

I love it, it's a beautiful name.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/11/2024 01:05

I know a beautiful Spanish Alba. She gets a lot of compliments on her name. I love that it means dawn. Beautiful. Easy for her to spell too.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/11/2024 00:58

Adore it. Totally stunning and round in the mouth. 100%

SnowFrogJelly · 11/11/2024 00:53

Radio

LastNight1Dreamt1WentToManderleyAgain · 11/11/2024 00:45

How about Aurora or Lucia? Or Anya?

HoratioNightboy · 11/11/2024 00:12

I'd avoid Alva too, if you don't want any Scottish connection - it's a town in Clackmannanshire.

sunsu · 10/11/2024 23:20

SirChenjins · 10/11/2024 22:04

It pronounced that way in Gaelic - the rest of us up here just say Alba as everyone else in the UK does. It might not be right, but it’s just how it is.

Show quote history

That is literally, exactly what I’ve just said?

NoCarbsForMe · 10/11/2024 22:11

Love it. Paloma is also lovely.

MyEarringsAreGreen · 10/11/2024 22:08

Alba is a beautiful Spanish name. I really like it.

mincepiesforthewin · 10/11/2024 22:04

Confused by the few comments saying they'd be put off by it meaning Scotland. What's wrong with that? Doesn't seem a bad thing to me. It's a nice name OP but I do associate it with my first tape deck. That's a generation thing though so don't let that put you off if you like the name.

SirChenjins · 10/11/2024 22:04

sunsu · 10/11/2024 20:12

The pronunciation for Alba, meaning Scotland in Gaelic is more like ‘Al-ah-buh’ so I wouldn’t worry about that connection. There are many non Gaelic speakers that pronounce is phonetically but it’s not quite right. If anyone was to question you about that connection, you could explain the difference!

It pronounced that way in Gaelic - the rest of us up here just say Alba as everyone else in the UK does. It might not be right, but it’s just how it is.