Alma tops Paris' 2025 baby name rankings, surpassing Louise. The name's popularity rises nationwide as short names ending in 'a' gain favor.
Alma becomes top name in Paris
In 2025, the name Alma became the most popular feminine name for newborns in Paris, overtaking Louise, which had been the leading name for several years. According to data from the City of Paris and the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), 174 babies were named Alma in the capital during the year.Alma's national rise
Nationally, the name Alma saw a 5 percent increase in births, rising from approximately 2,380 in 2024 to 2,500 in 2025. This growth helped it climb to the fourth position among the most popular feminine names in France.Preference for short names
The rise of Alma reflects a growing preference for short names that end with the vowel "a." These names are increasingly common in Parisian schools, indicating a broader cultural shift in naming trends.Trend extends beyond Paris
The popularity of Alma is not confined to Paris alone. It also gained momentum across the Île-de-France region, suggesting that the naming trend is expanding beyond the capital’s boundaries.
