Bulma Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BUL-ma /ˈbʊlmə/
Origin: Japanese; English
Meaning: Bulma (Japanese: 'bloomers'); Bulma (English: 'bloomers' as a playful term)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Bulma is of Japanese origin, derived from the word "buruma," which refers to a type of bloomers or shorts worn by women, particularly in sports. The term itself is borrowed from the English word "bloomers," which has its roots in the name of Amelia Bloomer, a 19th-century women's rights advocate who promoted this style of clothing as a more practical alternative to traditional women's attire.
The adoption of the name Bulma in Japanese culture reflects a broader trend of integrating Western influences into Japanese language and society during the Meiji period and beyond, as Japan opened up to international ideas and fashions. Bulma is most notably recognized as a character from the popular anime and manga series "Dragon Ball," created by Akira Toriyama in the mid-1980s.
The character first appeared in the original manga in 1984 and has since become an iconic figure within the franchise. Bulma is characterized by her intelligence, inventiveness, and strong personality, often serving as a key ally to the protagonist, Goku.
Her role in the series has contributed to the name's association with qualities such as strength and resourcefulness, resonating with audiences and contributing to the character's lasting legacy in popular culture. Culturally, the name Bulma symbolizes a blend of traditional and modern values, reflecting the evolution of women's roles in society.
The character's development throughout the series showcases themes of empowerment and independence, which resonate with broader societal changes regarding gender roles. Additionally, the name has inspired various adaptations and merchandise, further embedding it into the cultural fabric associated with the "Dragon Ball" franchise.
While Bulma is a unique name with specific cultural roots, its connection to a beloved character has ensured its recognition and significance in the realm of anime and beyond.
Famous people named Bulma
In this section, you will find notable people named Bulma. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bulma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Bulma who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Bulma is a fictional character best known for Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super.
Fictional characters named Bulma
The following list of fictional characters named Bulma is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Bulma is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Dragon Ball. She is a brilliant scientist and inventor who plays a crucial role in assisting Goku and his friends throughout their adventures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bulma, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Bulma was first seen in the United States in 2018.
Bulma has ranked as high as #1374 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Bulma has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Bulma is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bulma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Bulma
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bulma.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 |