Velma
Velma is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or desire for protection.
Origin and history
Velma is a given name likely derived as a phonetic variant or short form of Wilma or Wilhelmina, originating from Old High German elements meaning 'will' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. It experienced significant popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is relatively rare in U.S. birth records, often associated with vintage naming trends or pop culture references.
Popularity in the United States
86,752 babies in the United States have been named Velma since 1880. It ranks #411 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1990.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10.6 %)
- OK (5.3 %)
- MS (5.3 %)
- MO (5.1 %)
- AR (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 358 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,099 |
| 1900-1910 | 6,558 |
| 1910-1920 | 18,631 |
| 1920-1930 | 22,875 |
| 1930-1940 | 14,250 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,272 |
| 1950-1960 | 6,861 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,696 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,134 |
| 1980-1990 | 512 |
| 1990-2000 | 191 |
| 2000-2010 | 97 |
| 2010-2019 | 107 |
| 2020-2029 | 111 |
Famous people named Velma
- Velma Middleton: Singer, Dancer
- Velma Bronn Johnston: Activist
- Velma Barfield
Fun facts
- Velma was a top-100 name for girls in the United States during the 1900s and 1910s.
- The name is widely recognized globally due to the brainy character Velma Dinkley from the Scooby-Doo franchise created in 1969.