Elma Girl

Popularity: #916 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

EmmaEllaLilaMilaNinaClara

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.

AlmaSelmaElenaElsaLenaGemmaHildaMina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Elma was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Elma has ranked as high as #440 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Elma has been trending up 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 32 0 32
2024 30 0 30
2023 23 0 23
2022 25 0 25
2021 32 0 32
2020 18 0 18
2019 27 0 27
2018 32 0 32
2017 32 0 32
2016 27 0 27
2015 31 0 31
2014 27 0 27
2013 23 0 23
2012 35 0 35
2011 33 0 33
2010 31 0 31
2009 37 0 37
2008 37 0 37
2007 39 0 39
2006 37 0 37
2005 47 0 47
2004 37 0 37
2003 51 0 51
2002 40 0 40
2001 48 0 48
2000 38 0 38
1999 36 0 36
1998 18 0 18
1997 13 0 13
1996 20 0 20
1995 19 0 19
1994 17 0 17
1993 17 0 17
1992 17 0 17
1991 12 0 12
1990 14 0 14
1989 21 0 21
1988 19 0 19
1987 10 0 10
1986 13 0 13
1985 22 0 22
1984 27 0 27
1983 19 0 19
1982 23 0 23
1981 20 0 20
1980 22 0 22
1979 26 0 26
1978 31 0 31
1977 23 0 23
1976 33 0 33
1975 29 0 29
1974 35 0 35
1973 33 0 33
1972 41 0 41
1971 44 0 44
1970 34 0 34
1969 47 0 47
1968 50 0 50
1967 49 0 49
1966 47 0 47
1965 66 0 66
1964 62 0 62
1963 76 0 76
1962 74 0 74
1961 72 0 72
1960 111 0 111
1959 89 0 89
1958 108 0 108
1957 102 8 94
1956 103 0 103
1955 104 0 104
1954 114 0 114
1953 129 0 129
1952 130 0 130
1951 131 6 125
1950 149 6 143
1949 158 8 150
1948 166 7 159
1947 172 5 167
1946 162 0 162
1945 184 5 179
1944 175 13 162
1943 208 0 208
1942 234 8 226
1941 206 13 193
1940 212 8 204
1939 214 10 204
1938 255 11 244
1937 241 16 225
1936 268 10 258
1935 276 9 267
1934 295 10 285
1933 306 9 297
1932 307 8 299
1931 360 8 352
1930 371 9 362
1929 372 12 360
1928 442 18 424
1927 484 19 465
1926 471 22 449
1925 504 17 487
1924 536 14 522
1923 512 18 494
1922 592 13 579
1921 628 18 610
1920 620 20 600
1919 609 15 594
1918 674 15 659
1917 589 9 580
1916 645 23 622
1915 587 12 575
1914 494 10 484
1913 401 13 388
1912 386 11 375
1911 258 6 252
1910 273 0 273
1909 248 0 248
1908 208 0 208
1907 228 0 228
1906 193 0 193
1905 176 5 171
1904 160 0 160
1903 162 0 162
1902 199 0 199
1901 189 0 189
1900 182 0 182
1899 136 0 136
1898 172 0 172
1897 156 0 156
1896 166 6 160
1895 137 0 137
1894 127 0 127
1893 129 0 129
1892 112 0 112
1891 118 0 118
1890 108 0 108
1889 98 0 98
1888 97 0 97
1887 73 0 73
1886 82 0 82
1885 76 0 76
1884 59 0 59
1883 42 0 42
1882 47 0 47
1881 41 0 41
1880 28 0 28

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%