Thoughts on girls name Alba

[Englishmummy]

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?

I really like it but I am Scottish so I’d associate it with Scotland. I don’t think I even knew about the Italian/Spanish connection.

Alba means Scotland.
We have BBC Alba up here.
We have the Alba (political) Party.
We also have numerous companies with the name Alba in them.
It's also associated with cheap radios and cassette players.

I think there are enough little Albas around in the UK, and multiple origins/meanings for Alba, that it wouldn't generally be seen as weird. Some people would associate it with Scotland/Scottish independence, but probably not as much outside of Scotland.

Alba electronics use the Bush brand name now, so the association isn't likely to be strong among children in ten years. The Alba (different pronunciation in Gaelic) = Scotland connection is there in the background but I wouldn't consider it offensive in any way. But knowing two teens somewhat irritated at being frequently addressed/referred to as "Kit Kat" and "Dove bar" - relatively pleasant connotations, but constant "jokes" can get tiresome - I'd say it's something to think about.

In your place, I think the other familiar meanings would be a strike against Alba if I were deciding between it and other equally attractive (to me and H) names, but probably not enough to stop me from using it if it were otherwise THE name.

I used to like it and my FIL immediately said cheap electronics from Argos. We live in Spain and here it’s a very classic and middle class girls name that you will hear a lot in upscale areas and private schools - along with Alma, Clara, Sofia, Maria and Isabella .. I think in Spanish it has some meaning about “fair” and it’s often used for fair skinned / haired children. It’s very popular here at the moment, loads in my kids school and ditto Alma. The Spanish don’t really use other Spanish names we use like Lola and Luna! They are more nickname / pet names.

Know someone who used the name in England recently and assumed they had some sort of Scottish connection. Apparently not. I think perhaps if you're English you don't realise that it's a much more common word in Scotland (used in company names as a pp said) and, well, that it literally means Scotland and the vast majority of Scottish people would know that. If the Scottish link bothers you, I'd think twice before using it.

I’m Scottish. I’ve always loved it as a name but no way would I use it now in case anyone thought it was any form of support for the political party.

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!

I love it. Simple, strong, easy to spell and easy to pronounce. A refreshing change from the more common girls names around at the moment. I think it’s feminine without being frilly. Go for it, OP!

I think it's a lovely name, and falls into the 'not all over the place popular but not out-there unheard-of' space

I know an Alba who is the most beautiful person in every way, therefore I love the name!!!!!

For me it is Spanish.

Too popular here (Spain).

Thought of Scotland, and a cassette recorder.
What about the Irish name "Ailbhe"? Pronounced "ail-va".

It's a lovely name, why would a connection to Scotland be an issue?

I'm Scottish and I know two - one Spanish, one Scottish.

I know a couple of little Albas, they are both kids of Scottish parents living in England. The parents wanted something Scottish but that wouldn't be mangled by English accents/pronunciation. That would be my first thought regarding origin of the name if I met a baby Alba.

I’m Scottish so I just think of the Alba Party and their deadbeat politicians.

It's ok but I'd assume a Scottish connection.

I prefer Alma

I would think Scotland.

I know an Alba but her parents cannot pronounce it correctly. I think it’s the dullest of names.

I love it as a Scot living in England my husband said it just reminded him of the crap Japanese hifi brand.
I think Alex Salmonds Alba party finished the name off for me.

Makes me think of egg whites

It's definitely becoming more popular. I know of two. I don't like it personally, it's quite dull and not a pretty name. It's on the same level as Alexa and Alexis for me.

I really like it. Also, if you have any Irish heritage there is Ailbhe (Alva)

My main association with it is the Alba party and Scottish independence. Too political for me!

Alba = Cheap CD players, you may as well call her Elizabeth Duke.

I’m only typing this because you directly asked.

DH also liked this name when DC was born. I am a midwife. Lochia Alba is a type of vaginal discharge - the last dregs of postpartum blood loss in fact. It was a firm no from me.

I know someone who named their DC Malina. I urge everyone to google any name they are considering and add ‘medical meaning’ after the name. Please.