Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Alba
GirlLatin, Italian· “white; dawn”
- Meaning
- white; dawn
- Origin
- Latin, Italian
- Pronunciation
- AL-buh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,261
- US babies 2025
- 177
- Best rank
- #740 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Alba
Alba is a Latin and Italian name that means “white; dawn”.
Alba comes from the Latin albus, 'white', and in Italian, Spanish and Catalan it also means 'dawn'. Alba is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland, and the same word appears in place names across Europe, including the Italian town of Alba. The name is popular in Spain and Italy and has a graceful, luminous feel in English. It is short and easy to pronounce. Albie is a playful nickname, and Albina is a related form.
Popularity over time
Alba has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 18 different years. Its best national rank was #740 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 205 were named Alba. In 2025, 177 babies were named Alba, and it ranked #1,261 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,132 in 1920, #1,720 in 1950, #1,833 in 1980, #2,056 in 2000, #1,784 in 2010, and #1,261 in 2025. Of the 7,471 US girls named Alba since records began, 19% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,149 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Zaya, Wrenly, Lucie, Isha, and Leni.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alba ranked highest in Florida, Massachusetts, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #866 | 18 |
| Massachusetts | #878 | 5 |
| California | #880 | 33 |
| Arizona | #912 | 6 |
| Colorado | #913 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alba is usually pronounced AL-buh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-ba”.
Middle names for Alba
A few middle names that flow with Alba: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alba
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Lists that include Alba
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alba mean?
Alba is a Latin and Italian name that means “white; dawn”.
What is the origin of the name Alba?
Alba has Latin, Italian, and Spanish roots. Alba comes from the Latin albus, 'white', and in Italian, Spanish and Catalan it also means 'dawn'.
Is Alba a popular name?
Not especially. Alba ranked #1,261 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Alba a boy or girl name?
Alba is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alba?
Alba is usually pronounced AL-buh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings