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Original poster

Opinions on the girl name Alba?

102 replies

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:21

We love Alba for our baby girl.

The only criticism for the name I can imagine, is a likeness to Albert.
However I personally don’t foresee that as an issue.
We love the nickname Allie, as my mother’s name is Alison and she goes by Allie aswell.

Just wanted general opinions to see if there was anything I was missing with the name / any reasons not to use.

Middle name will be Sofia after my grandmother.

other options we still have running are:
Iris
Cassia
Gia
Margot

Not all with middle name Sofia, depending on flow of course.

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SmallTreeDeepRoots · Yesterday 16:44

Isn’t it a radio station?

Original poster
OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:45

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:38

I don't understand the deep thought that goes into nicknames though don't diminutive names just evolve ?

Sometimes

It is just something sentimental to us that we like.

A way to honour maternal grandmother without giving the same name.

Probably be more of a family thing unless she likes it and she can use it with friends etc.

Really don’t think it’s that deep 🤣🤣

OP posts:
WhatDoRacoonsSay · Yesterday 16:48

It's a very Scottish name.
It's also getting very popular but if you like it, use it.

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:52

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:45

Sometimes

It is just something sentimental to us that we like.

A way to honour maternal grandmother without giving the same name.

Probably be more of a family thing unless she likes it and she can use it with friends etc.

Really don’t think it’s that deep 🤣🤣

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That is lovely but you can absolutely shorten her name, but i read posts that are about nicknames and it just seems strange that nicknames are thought about . I know i am not really explaining myself properly it just seems weird to me.

Trylinescore · Yesterday 16:55

As an Ali, I would find it weird to be given a pretty name like Alba and then have a longer name with an annoying spelling inflicted on me. Either use Alba or don't. Call the poor child Allie if that's the name you intend using.

I definitely agree with the comments about nicknames evolving. School friends will call her random names & so will family members. There's no need for them to be so contrived and imposed. Just let friends and family call her whatever develops. That's why ours is called Fungus, Bean, Pants or Bob, regardless of her original name which shares no resemblance to any of those.

THisbackwithavengeance · Yesterday 16:57

There is a song by Runrig called Alba. Fab song and lovely name.

RogueRascal · Yesterday 16:58

Ummm my doctors are called alba medical practice so would be a no from me. If I'd heard it before I would probably have liked it though

Happysnappydays · Yesterday 17:00

Albatross is the only negative nickname I can think of!

IdaGlossop · Yesterday 17:01

In Italian, Alba means dawn. It's a lovely name.

BluntCrab · Yesterday 17:02

Trylinescore · Yesterday 16:55

As an Ali, I would find it weird to be given a pretty name like Alba and then have a longer name with an annoying spelling inflicted on me. Either use Alba or don't. Call the poor child Allie if that's the name you intend using.

I definitely agree with the comments about nicknames evolving. School friends will call her random names & so will family members. There's no need for them to be so contrived and imposed. Just let friends and family call her whatever develops. That's why ours is called Fungus, Bean, Pants or Bob, regardless of her original name which shares no resemblance to any of those.

They never made out like they were planning on calling her Allie all the time, they’ve mentioned it’s an affectionate sentimental name which can be used in family settings.

There is genuinely nothing wrong with that, and having the same nickname as gran is a lovely way to honour family whilst giving baby her own identity.

I’m not sure why everyone is so focused on that.
The question is about Alba, and she’s given a reason (assuming one of many) why they like it for them.

Lovely name
lovely on its own or as Allie
Seems very thought out and a great fit for your family :)

CurlewKate · Yesterday 17:03

In the current climate in this country I wouldn’t call a child Alba….

BashfulClam · Yesterday 17:03

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:30

yes, I have seen that when researching actually.

it also means dawn and sunrise, depending on the language.

it doesn’t bother me, I didn’t see it as being an issue but not sure if that’s naive?

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It’s Gaelic for Scotland.

Sasha07 · Yesterday 17:04

Jessica Alba is the only thing that came to my mind, I didn't go to Albert at all. I don't know of any locally.
I think Alba Sophia flows really nicely. Same for Ali, my kids have about four different nicknames that have just happened naturally (only in house and used by myself 🤣) so I think it all sounds nice.
I wouldn't choose it myself as it's unusual to my ears but wouldn't think anything of it if my kids said their friend Alba was coming round. Maybe I'd ask them to spell it for me!

Pause4thoughts · Yesterday 17:05

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:28

Yes I’ve never heard of them (24).

Could be an association more with grandparents perhaps.
I’ll ask my mum!! (Although she hasn’t mentioned it so far haha)

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I'm in my 40s and it's the first thing I thought of. As far as I remember, they were a very cheap budget brand of electrical items.

Puffalicious · Yesterday 17:09

Like many PPs have pointed out, it's Gaelic for Scotland. If you're not Scottish I think it would be a bit strange.

I feel like it's different than Isla or Skye or Arran or Lewis as those are islands, not an entire country. It's like me calling a child France or Russia, feels strange.

There's also the fact that there's BBC Alba TV & radio stations.

BashfulClam · Yesterday 17:09

Makes me think of this….

Opinions on the girl name Alba?
MyManinCaracas · Yesterday 17:13

I think of as the next Freya; kind of awkward to say but destined to be popular.

WhatDoRacoonsSay · Yesterday 17:20

MyManinCaracas · Yesterday 17:13

I think of as the next Freya; kind of awkward to say but destined to be popular.

Will date quickly, unless Scottish.

HorseandHeron · Yesterday 17:22

I like it - the sound, the meanings. I like Allie as a nn too.

JLou08 · Yesterday 17:33

I love it. It's my favourite from your list of names. The link to your mums name is nice too.

Floaqee · Yesterday 17:34

IPM · Yesterday 16:27

The only criticism for the name I can imagine, is a likeness to Albert.

That would depend on age.

I'm in my 50s and immediately thought of the Alba TV, stereo and kettle I used to own.

But I think they stopped making electronic products around 2010 ish.

I'm late 40s and it makes me think of Alba electronics too. It's enough to put me off the name as my parents weren't well off and bought me a few cheap Alba stereos (cassette players! So I could record the top 40 on a Sunday!) in my teens and they always broke quickly as they were rubbish.

floofydoofy · Yesterday 17:39

I really like Alba Sofia. All of the names on your list are darling, though.

I actually know a Cassia Sofia which when written down seems like too much of the "-ia" sound but I think it sounds lovely.

floofydoofy · Yesterday 17:41

Puffalicious · Yesterday 17:09

Like many PPs have pointed out, it's Gaelic for Scotland. If you're not Scottish I think it would be a bit strange.

I feel like it's different than Isla or Skye or Arran or Lewis as those are islands, not an entire country. It's like me calling a child France or Russia, feels strange.

There's also the fact that there's BBC Alba TV & radio stations.

People name their children India often, America is also used and I've even met an Italia and heard of an Indonesia (Indie) - but the latter was online so not sure how true that was!

EmpressStorm · Yesterday 17:42

It makes me think of the Italian name Finalba, where they normally go by the name alba. I don’t like it for some reason, I do find it unfeminine sounding and I have a personal preference for feminine sounding names.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · Yesterday 17:44

I think its a lovely name and goes really well with Sofia.
We also had some Alba electronics a few years ago, but that doesn't put me off the name itself.