Alba - too cheesy for a Scottish lass?

[fayc84]

Just started to think about names (got another seven months to decide anyway).

My mum suggested Alba for a girl and I love it. Being a proud Scot I love the idea of having my baby's name meaning "Scotland". It is also Latin for "white" and since my hubby and I are both blonde there's a high chance our kids will be too. It is also the name of the daughter in the Time Traveller's Wife (I just lent my mum the book so probably where she got the idea) and the 10th most popular girl's name in Spain, so not completely unheard of for a name.

However, hubby hates it. I still like it and think Alba Lily would be a beautiful name and would work beyond childhood too. What do you think? Is it perhaps too cheesy calling a girl Alba in Scotland?

I would not know of the connection. Have just looked it up and it seems to mean something in Spanish and Italian too, so perhaps not too obvious?
I wouldn't use Alba Lily though I'm afraid. Nice name but turns into 'Albalily'

Beautiful! It means Dawn in Italian, literally like the sunrise and a girl's name, i think it's pretty and simple, I'm thinking of using it myself (DH is Italian). I don't think it's cheesey to use it in Scotland either. :)

As an English person, the meanings and connotations were lost on me. Sorry but Alba just reminds me of that brand of cheap stereos in the 80s!

I wouldn't use it as I think it is too cheesy, sorry. (Am Scottish if it makes a difference).

There are so many lovely Scottish names, Catriona, Isla, Eilidh ...

I'm with LaTristesse on this one, sorry!

As a Scot living in Scotland I would not think it too cheesy at all. Just a nice and pretty short girl's name.

i get where you are coming from re: connection but i don't think it's that a great name just a bit blugh and cheesy for me sorry.

also from a scot

My immediate connection is The Time Traveller's Wife. I'm a bit torn on it. On the one hand it immediately makes me think 'albino' - I just can't help it! - and on the other hand, if I think objectively, it is quite a pretty, simple name.

But no, I don't think it's cheesy.

I wouldn't have a clue what it means, but think its quite pretty... Does make me think a little of Albus Dumbledore though.

I like it. I loved Alban for a boy, but wasn't brave enough...

My Dh knows an Alba.She is Spanish and a lovely lady.I don't think people would know the meaning automatically and think it was cheesy.I tend to go with what sounds nice to you with your surname. And if you are in Scotland, Isla, Eilidh etc are pretty but everywhere.

PS In 2008 in Scotland there were 8 Albas registered. Caledonia has also cropped up from time to time,for ultimate cheesiness ;)

My hubby also made the stereo connection and is still not keen on it.

We(I) definately want a Scottish name but hubby doesn't like any of my suggestions so far. I also like Ailsa and Eilidh, but he said they both sounded like "old lady names" (whereas his suggestion of Helen doesn't?!)

I suggested Hamish for a boy and he about had a fit! haha I think I'm going to have to come up with a list and he can just score off any he doesn't like and we can see what we're left with.

I think it's a lovely name as is Hamish

How do you pronounce Eilidh?

Elidih is pronounced "Ay-lee"

aha I met a little Eilidh the other day then but didn't put 2 & 2 together. I would have assumed it was Irish for some reason

There is a gaelic name 'ailbhe' isn't there? why not go for that one. Pronounced quite similar. Alva.

Even in 'The Time Traveller's Wife' I couldn't get over the cheap stereo connection when reading the name. It is quite pretty, but reminds me primarily of Argos electricals.