NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name Albin

What is the origin of the name Albin?

The origin of the given name Albin is Germanic and Old Norse in origin. It derives from the Old High German name "Alahfr" meaning "noble raven," composed of the elements "alah," meaning "noble," and "hurnuz" or "habr," meaning "raven." The name was introduced to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age. In some cases, the name Albin has been Latinized as Albius, a name that means "white" in this context. Over time, variations of the name have emerged, including Albion and Alban, which have different meanings and origins.

Learn more about the origin of the name Albin

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Albin

The name Albin is an old Germanic name derived from the element 'alb', meaning white or pale. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with prominent white hair, or a person known for their pale complexion. In Old High German, it was spelled 'Alpwin' and in Middle English, it evolved into Albinus. The name has been popularized through various historical figures, such as Saint Albino of Angers, a 5th-century bishop, and the character Albus Dumbledore from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The modern variation 'Albie' is used as a diminutive or pet form of the name.

Character traits associated with the name Albin

Albin, a name of Germanic origin, is often associated with individuals who are gentle, sensitive, and kind-hearted. These people are typically peace-loving and have a strong desire for harmony and tranquility. They tend to be creative and have an appreciation for art and beauty. Albins are often introverted and prefer solitude or quiet company. They value intellect and learning, making them analytical thinkers. However, their sensitive nature can sometimes make them vulnerable, as they may struggle with criticism or emotional upheaval. Despite this, Albins are generally resilient and have a strong sense of morality, striving to do what is right and fair.

Popularity of the name Albin

The first name Albin is relatively uncommon and less popular compared to many other names in the English-speaking world. Its origin is from Old High German, meaning "white" or "pale." In some countries like Sweden and Finland, it's more common due to their historical connection with the region. However, in the United States, for example, Albin ranked outside the top 1000 most popular baby names in 2020, according to the Social Security Administration. Its low popularity may be attributed to its association with albino people and the unique spelling, which could make it less appealing to some parents. Nonetheless, its rarity adds a unique touch to those who bear the name.

Famous people with the name Albin

Albinism, a genetic disorder that causes a reduction in the production of melanin, has affected several notable individuals with the first name Albin. One such figure is Albin Kuhn (1892-1963), a Swiss mathematician known for his work on topology and analysis. In the world of sports, Albin Krebs (1904-1977) was a Swedish footballer who played as a midfielder for Sweden in the 1928 and 1936 Summer Olympics. In music, Albinoni, born Tommaso Giovanni Legrenzio Albinoni (1671-1751), was an Italian composer known for his instrumental concertos and oratorios. Lastly, Albertino Comende de Almeida, commonly known as Alceu Valença (1920-1987), was a Brazilian singer-songwriter who is considered one of the pioneers of samba. These individuals have left their marks in various fields, demonstrating that albinism does not limit potential or success.

Variations of the name Albin

Albin is a given name with multiple variants and spellings across different languages and cultures. In English-speaking countries, the most common variant is Albert, which originates from the Germanic name Adalbert, meaning "noble bright." Other forms include Albino, Albinus, and Alben, often used in various European countries, though they may have additional meanings or associations based on regional usage. In Scandinavian languages, Albin is a direct translation of the name, while in some Slavic languages like Polish, Czech, and Slovak, it can be spelled Albín or Albinus. Additionally, in Estonian, the variant Albrecht is also used. It's important to note that these variations may have slight differences in pronunciation depending on the language.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 29 July 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Alba juliet (First name)

forenames > alba-juliet

The name "Alba" has Latin origins, meaning "dawn" or "white." The name "Juliet" is derived from the Latin name "Julia," which is thought to be of Roman origin.

Alba luz villa (First name)

forenames > alba-luz-villa

The first name Alba has Latin origins, meaning "dawn" or "white". The name Luz also has Latin roots, meaning "light". Villa is a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from the ...

Alba-regina (First name)

forenames > alba-regina

The first name "Alba Regina" has Latin origins. "Alba" means "white" or "dawn" in Latin, while "Regina" means "queen" in Latin. The name likely combines the meanings of both words ...

Albaadi (First name)

forenames > albaadi

The first name Albaadi has Arabic origins.

Albadhi (First name)

forenames > albadhi

The name Albadhi is of Arabic origin.

Albadi (First name)

forenames > albadi

The origin of the first name "Albadi" is Arabic.

Albakas (First name)

forenames > albakas

No data available.

Albaksh (First name)

forenames > albaksh

The name Albaksh is of Arabic origin.

Albana gabrieli (First name)

forenames > albana-gabrieli

The name Albana is of Albanian origin, while the name Gabrieli is of Italian origin.

Albani (First name)

forenames > albani

The given name Albani is derived from the Old High German name Alahán (meaning "elf-rock" or "noble rock") and its various forms, such as Alban, Albert, and Aubert. It was traditi...

Albano (First name)

forenames > albano

The name Albano is of Latin origin and was derived from the Roman family name Albius, which was given to individuals with blond or pale hair. The name can be traced back to ancient...

Albany (First name)

forenames > albany

The origin of the first name Albany is uncertain. However, it is commonly believed to be a variant or modern form of the name Albin, which has Germanic roots. Albin is derived from...

Alberic (First name)

forenames > alberic

The name Alberic is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the elements "alb" meaning "elf" or "bright" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "king." Therefore, Alberic can be interpreted t...

Albert aiah (First name)

forenames > albert-aiah

The name Albert is of Old High German origin, meaning "noble and bright." Aiah has Hebrew origins and means "falcon" or "vulture."

Albert florentin (First name)

forenames > albert-florentin

The first name "Albert" is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright." The name "Florentin" is of Latin origin and means "flowering" or "flourishing."