Rising since 2004, #1,261 for girls today.
Popularity of Alba since 1880
Babies named Alba per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 35 |
| 1890s | 54 |
| 1900s | 84 |
| 1910s | 461 |
| 1920s | 491 |
| 1930s | 301 |
| 1940s | 158 |
| 1950s | 320 |
| 1960s | 305 |
| 1970s | 356 |
| 1980s | 838 |
| 1990s | 811 |
| 2000s | 718 |
| 2010s | 1,390 |
| 2020s | 1,149 |
Meaning & origin
Alba is a name that has been used since at least 1880, though it has never been among the most popular choices in the United States. As of 2025, it ranks 1261st, with approximately 1 in every 9081 baby girls receiving the name. The name has risen in popularity steadily since 2004, reaching its peak in 2024, and continues to be favored in states like Colorado, Arizona, and Massachusetts. Its dual meanings of 'dawn' and 'white' give it a fresh, luminous quality that appeals to modern parents.
Alba derives from the Latin word 'albus' meaning 'white'. In Italian and Spanish, it also means 'dawn' (from Latin 'alba' meaning 'sunrise'). It has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, particularly in Italy and Spain. The name saw a resurgence in the 21st century, especially in English-speaking countries.
Where Alba is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alba” around the world
Where Alba lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#4
in 2024
Ireland
20
babies in 2025
New Zealand
19
babies in 2025
Quebec
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Albie
Sibling names for Alba
Names that share Alba's style, for a brother or sister.
