Zelma
Zelma is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Godly helmet or divine protection (via Anselma), or divine helmet (via Selma).
Origin and history
Zelma is a given name of Germanic origin, often considered a phonetic variant of Selma or a contraction of Anselma, meaning 'godly helmet' or 'divine protection'. It gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Today, it is used rarely, carrying a distinct vintage aesthetic.
Popularity in the United States
16,824 babies in the United States have been named Zelma since 1880. It ranks #1178 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2020.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12.7 %)
- KY (8.1 %)
- OK (6.6 %)
- TN (6.2 %)
- MO (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 259 |
| 1890-1900 | 795 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,821 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,899 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,111 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,446 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,570 |
| 1950-1960 | 986 |
| 1960-1970 | 427 |
| 1970-1980 | 163 |
| 1980-1990 | 78 |
| 1990-2000 | 51 |
| 2000-2010 | 45 |
| 2010-2019 | 92 |
| 2020-2029 | 81 |
Famous people named Zelma
- Zelma Watson George: Opera singer, Diplomat
- Zelma Hedrick: Soprano, Singer
Fun facts
- Zelma peaked in popularity in the United States during the late 1890s and early 1900s.
- The name arose alongside Selma, which was popularized in Europe by the 18th-century Romantic literature of James Macpherson.