Girl · #5,828 in 2026

Alga

Algae are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms. It excludes the land plants (embryophytes). Such organisms range from microscopic unicellular microalgae to seaweeds, multicellular macroalgae which may grow up to 50 metres (160 ft) in length. Most algae are aquatic, and some form cohesive colonies.

Current Rank
#5,828
Peak Rank
#2,526 (1915)
Total Babies
132
5-Yr Trend
Stable
1888
First Year
1955
Last Year
1915
Peak Year
#2526
Peak Rank
132
Total Count
19
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Alga

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

Algae are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms. It excludes the land plants (embryophytes). Such organisms range from microscopic unicellular microalgae to seaweeds, multicellular macroalgae which may grow up to 50 metres (160 ft) in length. Most algae are aquatic, and some form cohesive colonies.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Etymology
The singular alga is the Latin word for " seaweed " and retains that meaning in English . The etymology is obscure. Although some speculate that it is related to Latin algēre , "be cold", no reason is known to associate seaweed with temperature. A more likely source is alliga , "binding, entwining". The Ancient Greek word for "seaweed" was φῦκος ( phŷkos ), which could mean either the seaweed (probably red algae) or a red dye derived from it. The Latinization , fūcus , meant primarily the cosmetic rouge. The etymology is uncertain, but a strong candidate has long been some word related to the

The Story of Alga

The earliest SSA record of Alga as a baby girl name dates back to 1888, when 5 babies received it. 1915 was its biggest year on record, with 11 newborns named Alga — #2,526 in the national rankings. About 39% of every Alga on record arrived during the 1920s, its defining decade. Alga last appeared in the published SSA data in 1955, with 5 recorded births — it has not charted nationally since. All told, over 132 Americans have carried the name since 1880, from the 1880s to the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

ME
WA
MT
ND
MN
WI
MI
NY
VT
NH
MA
OR
ID
SD
IA
IL
IN
OH
PA
NJ
CT
RI
CA
NV
WY
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
DE
DC
UT
CO
KS
AR
TN
NC
SC
AK
AZ
NM
OK
LA
MS
AL
GA
HI
TX
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Top 10
11-50
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101-500
500+
No data

Names that sound like Alga

Phonetically similar names — useful when Alga is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alga

What does the name Alga mean?
Algae are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms. It excludes the land plants (embryophytes). Such organisms range from microscopic unicellular microalgae to seaweeds, multicellular macroalgae which may grow up to 50 metres (160 ft) in length. Most algae are aquatic, and some form cohesive colonies.
How popular is Alga in 2026?
In 2026, Alga ranks #5,828 among girls' names in the U.S., with 5 babies given the name that year.
When was Alga most popular?
Alga reached its peak popularity in 1915, ranking #2,526 that year with 11 babies given the name.
Is Alga a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Alga is primarily a girl's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a boy's name.
What names go well with Alga?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Alga include Teckla, Arilla, Arbie. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

Similar Names

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Teckla
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Arilla
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Arbie
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Madolin
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Odia
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Wilfred
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Grazia
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About the name Alga

Alga is a girl baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1888 and has accumulated 132 births in the dataset. Alga's peak popularity came in 1915 when it ranked #2,526. Use the chart and map above to compare Alga's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.