Uncertain, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (“to grow, rise”) or from a non-Indo-European (perhaps pre-Roman Alpine substrate) or Celtic source (compare Proto-Celtic *albiyū f (“alp”) or Scottish Gaelic alp f (“protuberance”)). Compare Old Saxon elbon (“Alps”, plural), Old High German alba (“alpine pasture”), Middle High German albe (“mountain meadow, high mountain, mountain range”), whence German Alb (“mountainous area”). Potentially related to Albanus or albus (“white”).