Alta
A female given name from Latin possibly from Latin alta (“high”), fairly common in the United States in the nineteenth century.
Every Alta since 1880 — 29,048 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Alta
Alta is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,267 in 2025 with 33 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 29,048 American babies have been named Alta. Its peak came in 1918, when 820 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Alta stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Alta year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | #4,267 | — | — |
| 2024 | 20 | #5,970 | — | — |
| 2023 | 30 | #4,573 | — | — |
| 2022 | 31 | #4,477 | — | — |
| 2021 | 35 | #4,100 | — | — |
| 2020 | 25 | #5,014 | — | — |
| 2019 | 30 | #4,551 | — | — |
| 2018 | 30 | #4,566 | — | — |
| 2017 | 24 | #5,356 | — | — |
| 2016 | 34 | #4,257 | — | — |
| 2015 | 24 | #5,472 | — | — |
| 2014 | 19 | #6,465 | — | — |
| 2013 | 30 | #4,652 | — | — |
| 2012 | 15 | #7,824 | — | — |
| 2011 | 21 | #6,157 | — | — |
| 2010 | 17 | #7,235 | — | — |
| 2009 | 18 | #7,080 | — | — |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,435 | — | — |
| 2007 | 19 | #6,829 | — | — |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,267 | — | — |
| 2005 | 21 | #5,815 | — | — |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,414 | — | — |
| 2003 | 16 | #6,904 | — | — |
| 2002 | 22 | #5,263 | — | — |
| 2001 | 20 | #5,585 | — | — |
| 2000 | 24 | #4,799 | — | — |
| 1995 | 17 | #5,452 | — | — |
| 1990 | 22 | #4,385 | — | — |
| 1985 | 27 | #3,250 | — | — |
| 1980 | 38 | #2,487 | — | — |
| 1975 | 44 | #1,989 | — | — |
| 1970 | 53 | #1,720 | — | — |
| 1965 | 54 | #1,516 | — | — |
| 1960 | 88 | #1,163 | — | — |
| 1955 | 117 | #906 | — | — |
| 1950 | 175 | #647 | — | — |
| 1945 | 215 | #496 | — | — |
| 1940 | 291 | #398 | — | — |
| 1935 | 376 | #325 | — | — |
| 1930 | 427 | #318 | 7 | #3,299 |
| 1925 | 598 | #271 | — | — |
| 1920 | 715 | #244 | — | — |
| 1915 | 721 | #222 | — | — |
| 1910 | 347 | #191 | — | — |
| 1905 | 316 | #167 | — | — |
| 1900 | 337 | #164 | — | — |
| 1895 | 277 | #156 | 9 | #740 |
| 1890 | 234 | #151 | — | — |
| 1885 | 155 | #144 | — | — |
| 1880 | 91 | #151 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alta mean?
A female given name from Latin possibly from Latin alta (“high”), fairly common in the United States in the nineteenth century.
How popular is the name Alta in 2025?
Alta ranked #4,267 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 33 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Alta?
29,048 babies have been named Alta in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Alta most popular?
Alta peaked in 1918, when 820 newborns received the name.
Is Alta a boy or girl name?
Alta is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Alta rising or falling?
Alta is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.