Selma Girl

Popularity: #887 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SEL-ma //ˈsɛl.mə//

Origin: Arabic; Germanic

Meaning: Arabic: 'peace'; Germanic: 'helmet, protection'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Selma has its roots in Old German, deriving from the elements 'selig,' meaning 'blessed' or 'happy,' and 'ma,' which is a diminutive suffix. This etymological origin reflects a sense of well-being and joy, and the name evolved through various linguistic stages before entering the English lexicon.

The name was adopted into Arabic as 'Salma,' which carries the meaning of 'peace' or 'safety,' further enriching its connotations. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Scandinavian languages, particularly during the Viking Age, where it was used in various forms in Norse culture.

Historically, Selma has been associated with notable figures and events. One significant milestone is its mention in literature, particularly in the 19th century, when it appeared in works such as Selma Lagerlöf's writings, which contributed to its recognition in literary circles.

Additionally, the name has been linked to various saints and religious figures, enhancing its spiritual significance. The name's presence in the King James Bible, particularly in the context of biblical translations, also underscores its historical resonance within Christian traditions.

Culturally, Selma has been embraced in various contexts, often symbolizing peace and happiness, which aligns with its etymological roots. The name has been celebrated in folklore and stories, reinforcing its positive associations.

In some cultures, diminutive forms like 'Sel' or 'Sally' have emerged, reflecting familial affection and familiarity. Overall, Selma's enduring appeal can be traced through its rich linguistic heritage and the positive attributes it embodies.

Famous people named Selma

In this section, you will find notable people named Selma. 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 Selma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Selma 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.

Selma Blair is an actress best known for Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and The Sweetest Thing.

Selma Hayek is an actress and producer best known for Frida, Desperado, and From Dusk Till Dawn.

Fictional characters named Selma

The following list of fictional characters named Selma 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.

Selma is a fictional character from the film and musical Selma. She is a key figure in the civil rights movement, representing the struggles for voting rights in the 1960s.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Selma, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

SamanthaSabrinaSiennaSophieSadieScarlett

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Selma. 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.

SeleneSelinaSelaSierraSabrinaSoleilSolea

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Selma has ranked as high as #393 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Selma has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Selma 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 Selma 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 Selma.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 61 0 61
2024 61 0 61
2023 74 0 74
2022 63 0 63
2021 63 0 63
2020 83 0 83
2019 87 0 87
2018 79 0 79
2017 88 0 88
2016 95 0 95
2015 88 0 88
2014 109 0 109
2013 82 0 82
2012 72 0 72
2011 96 0 96
2010 86 0 86
2009 87 0 87
2008 90 0 90
2007 100 0 100
2006 103 0 103
2005 117 0 117
2004 118 0 118
2003 96 0 96
2002 74 0 74
2001 90 0 90
2000 81 0 81
1999 70 0 70
1998 64 0 64
1997 54 0 54
1996 42 0 42
1995 32 0 32
1994 22 0 22
1993 17 0 17
1992 32 0 32
1991 30 0 30
1990 35 0 35
1989 24 0 24
1988 26 0 26
1987 19 0 19
1986 27 0 27
1985 11 0 11
1984 19 0 19
1983 19 0 19
1982 27 0 27
1981 28 0 28
1980 25 0 25
1979 19 0 19
1978 22 0 22
1977 26 0 26
1976 20 0 20
1975 21 0 21
1974 17 0 17
1973 26 0 26
1972 23 0 23
1971 37 0 37
1970 40 0 40
1969 35 0 35
1968 34 0 34
1967 40 0 40
1966 54 0 54
1965 91 0 91
1964 63 0 63
1963 66 0 66
1962 89 0 89
1961 121 5 116
1960 93 0 93
1959 91 0 91
1958 95 5 90
1957 105 0 105
1956 115 0 115
1955 113 0 113
1954 112 8 104
1953 118 0 118
1952 107 5 102
1951 126 5 121
1950 102 0 102
1949 120 0 120
1948 135 6 129
1947 140 0 140
1946 143 5 138
1945 111 9 102
1944 134 6 128
1943 122 0 122
1942 159 0 159
1941 149 5 144
1940 156 6 150
1939 163 7 156
1938 194 6 188
1937 231 6 225
1936 250 7 243
1935 220 8 212
1934 264 0 264
1933 301 5 296
1932 336 10 326
1931 432 12 420
1930 559 9 550
1929 569 6 563
1928 609 11 598
1927 680 11 669
1926 680 9 671
1925 678 10 668
1924 742 7 735
1923 711 8 703
1922 701 9 692
1921 713 9 704
1920 768 0 768
1919 696 14 682
1918 811 13 798
1917 795 9 786
1916 728 10 718
1915 753 12 741
1914 601 14 587
1913 460 5 455
1912 393 6 387
1911 327 6 321
1910 299 6 293
1909 256 6 250
1908 262 5 257
1907 231 0 231
1906 252 0 252
1905 224 0 224
1904 231 0 231
1903 218 0 218
1902 252 0 252
1901 242 0 242
1900 239 0 239
1899 206 0 206
1898 229 0 229
1897 183 0 183
1896 238 0 238
1895 208 0 208
1894 212 0 212
1893 211 0 211
1892 209 0 209
1891 206 0 206
1890 165 0 165
1889 133 0 133
1888 139 0 139
1887 97 0 97
1886 91 0 91
1885 68 0 68
1884 63 0 63
1883 80 0 80
1882 54 0 54
1881 47 0 47
1880 36 0 36

Top States for Selma (2024)

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 6
27%
TX 6
27%
CA 5
23%
FL 5
23%