Alma or Maria

[MrsT36]

As the name suggests torn between two so votes please!!!! Surname ending in T. Been through all the other names so it’s a dead race between these 2 x

Alma is more popular at the moment in the UK, although Maria is popular with the east European families where I live.

I prefer Maria myself.

I much prefer Maria.

I prefer Alma
Alma Maria?

Not that popularity matters but Alma is definitely not more popular than Maria.

Maria is top 100. As you say, it has international appeal (especially among Catholic families). Alma is nowhere near the official top 100 so definitely not more popular.

Edit - ONS stats for England and Wales on both names from 2022 are as follows:-

Maria 75th with 646 registrations
Alma 279th with 164 registrations

Ah ok - it must be a London thing. Up until about five years ago I never met a young Alma, but suddenly they are everywhere around East London, South East London and Clapham (at least), all English families.

I don't think I know an English Maria! Although plenty of Romanian, Ukrainian, Polish and (older) Irish ones.

Yes it does seem to be most popular among European families. I've taught a Spanish Maria and a Romanian.

As long as they are born in England though, they count in the ONS stats regardless of their heritage which is why the stats have such great international representation.

A huge reason why names like Olivia, Amelia and Isabella have remained popular for so long is because of how well they translate across different languages and cultures. Maya, Julia, Layla, Emma etc are all top 100 names benefiting from this too. Lots of international families opt for something which will be easily recognisable in both their home country and the country they're currently living in.

Whichever goes best with the surname. Maria is a classic, Alma is probably more trendy. I like both.

Alma is my favourite- it sounds familiar and traditional, but also quite modern and cool. Short enough not to be likely to be shortened regularly.

Alma is awful, sorry. And reminds me of one of the nuns in Sister Act, lol. Quite like Maria.

Maria is elegant, very classic and is unlikely to date as it’s been popular for hundreds of years. Also has the benefit of two great/more trendy nickname choices in Mia and May/Mai if she wants.

Alma feels like it should be more popular than it is in the UK as it fits into three current trends - Retro/Vintage style, two syllable -A ending and vowel heavy for girls (think Ada, Ava, Eva, Ella, Thea…). It’s very trendy internationally at the moment and I’m sure eventually the UK will catch on but I think I personally prefer the more timeless style of Maria.

I like both! Agree with others that Maria is more classic and Alma seems to be quite trendy. I know someone posted the 2022 stats to prove that Alma is uncommon, but I’d guess it will be placed a lot higher in 2023 and 2024 - I know several baby Alma’s and no Maria’s.

Maria is a beautiful classic name.

I dislike Alma, sorry.

Do you like Marie, Mary or Mietta?
Alma is my choice of your two.