Elma Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-ma /ˈɛl.mə/
Origin: German; Hebrew
Meaning: German: noble protector; Hebrew: palm tree
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Elma has its roots in the Germanic language, deriving from the Old High German word "alh" meaning "elf" or "noble". This etymology suggests a connection to the mythical and supernatural, as elves were often depicted as magical beings in Germanic folklore.
The name was later adopted into various forms in different languages, including the Latinized version "Elma". It made its way into English through the influence of Germanic tribes and their languages during the early medieval period, particularly as the Anglo-Saxon culture began to take shape in England around the 5th century.
Historically, the name Elma appears in various forms across different cultures and regions. It gained some prominence in the 19th century, particularly in literature and among notable figures.
For instance, Elma was used in literary works and was occasionally associated with characters embodying strength and nobility. The name's association with elves and nobility also contributed to its appeal, as these qualities were often celebrated in medieval and Renaissance literature, enhancing its cultural resonance.
In terms of cultural significance, Elma has been linked to themes of enchantment and nobility, reflecting the qualities of its etymological roots. The name has been used in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing grace and ethereal beauty.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "El" or "Ella" have emerged, further enriching the name's legacy and allowing for variations that maintain its original charm. Overall, Elma's historical journey from its Germanic origins to its presence in English-speaking cultures illustrates a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural adaptation.
Famous people named Elma
In this section, you will find notable people named Elma. 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 Elma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Elma 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.
Elma Lewis is a civil rights activist best known for founding the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts and her work with the Boston Arts Festival.
Elma D. McGowan is a scientist best known for her research in biochemistry and contributions to the field of cancer research.
Fictional characters named Elma
The following list of fictional characters named Elma 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.
Elma is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World. She is a powerful dragon and a significant figure in the story's magical world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Elma, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Elma. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Elma was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Elma has ranked as high as #417 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New York, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Elma has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Elma 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 Elma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Elma (2022)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
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 Elma.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2008 | 37 |
| 2007 | 38 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2005 | 47 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2003 | 51 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2000 | 38 |
| 1999 | 36 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1994 | 17 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 21 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 22 |
| 1984 | 27 |
| 1983 | 19 |
| 1982 | 23 |
| 1981 | 20 |
| 1980 | 22 |
| 1979 | 26 |
| 1978 | 31 |
| 1977 | 23 |
| 1976 | 33 |
| 1975 | 29 |
| 1974 | 35 |
| 1973 | 33 |
| 1972 | 41 |
| 1971 | 44 |
| 1970 | 34 |
| 1969 | 47 |
| 1968 | 50 |
| 1967 | 49 |
| 1966 | 47 |
| 1965 | 66 |
| 1964 | 62 |
| 1963 | 76 |
| 1962 | 74 |
| 1961 | 72 |
| 1960 | 111 |
| 1959 | 89 |
| 1958 | 108 |
| 1957 | 94 |
| 1956 | 103 |
| 1955 | 104 |
| 1954 | 114 |
| 1953 | 129 |
| 1952 | 130 |
| 1951 | 125 |
| 1950 | 143 |
| 1949 | 150 |
| 1948 | 159 |
| 1947 | 167 |
| 1946 | 162 |
| 1945 | 179 |
| 1944 | 162 |
| 1943 | 208 |
| 1942 | 226 |
| 1941 | 193 |
| 1940 | 204 |
| 1939 | 204 |
| 1938 | 244 |
| 1937 | 225 |
| 1936 | 258 |
| 1935 | 267 |
| 1934 | 285 |
| 1933 | 297 |
| 1932 | 299 |
| 1931 | 352 |
| 1930 | 362 |
| 1929 | 360 |
| 1928 | 424 |
| 1927 | 465 |
| 1926 | 449 |
| 1925 | 487 |
| 1924 | 522 |
| 1923 | 494 |
| 1922 | 579 |
| 1921 | 610 |
| 1920 | 600 |
| 1919 | 594 |
| 1918 | 659 |
| 1917 | 580 |
| 1916 | 622 |
| 1915 | 575 |
| 1914 | 484 |
| 1913 | 388 |
| 1912 | 375 |
| 1911 | 252 |
| 1910 | 273 |
| 1909 | 248 |
| 1908 | 208 |
| 1907 | 228 |
| 1906 | 193 |
| 1905 | 171 |
| 1904 | 160 |
| 1903 | 162 |
| 1902 | 199 |
| 1901 | 189 |
| 1900 | 182 |
| 1899 | 136 |
| 1898 | 172 |
| 1897 | 156 |
| 1896 | 160 |
| 1895 | 137 |
| 1894 | 127 |
| 1893 | 129 |
| 1892 | 112 |
| 1891 | 118 |
| 1890 | 108 |
| 1889 | 98 |
| 1888 | 97 |
| 1887 | 73 |
| 1886 | 82 |
| 1885 | 76 |
| 1884 | 59 |
| 1883 | 42 |
| 1882 | 47 |
| 1881 | 41 |
| 1880 | 28 |