Velma Girl

Popularity: #927 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: VEL-muh /ˈvɛlmə/

Origin: Latin; Germanic

Meaning: Latin: strong; Germanic: will

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Velma is believed to have originated from the Germanic name Wilhelmina, which is derived from the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." The name underwent various transformations as it passed through different languages, including Old High German and Middle Dutch, before being adapted into English. The earliest recorded use of Velma in English can be traced back to the 19th century, where it emerged as a feminine form of names like William and Wilhelmina, gaining traction in English-speaking countries during that period.

Historically, Velma has been associated with notable figures and cultural references. One significant milestone in the name's history is its appearance in literature and popular culture, particularly in the early 20th century.

The name was popularized through various works, including the character Velma Dinkley from the animated television series "Scooby-Doo," which first aired in the late 1960s. This character, known for her intelligence and resourcefulness, contributed to the name's association with cleverness and problem-solving.

Culturally, Velma has been embraced for its distinctive sound and unique charm, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for earlier eras. The name carries connotations of strength and independence, reflecting the qualities of the characters and individuals who have borne it throughout history.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Vel or Velly have occasionally been used in familial or affectionate contexts, although these are less formal. Overall, Velma's etymological roots and historical significance contribute to its enduring presence in various cultural narratives.

Famous people named Velma

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

We also feature individuals named Velma 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.

Velma Kelly is a character best known for the musical Chicago.

Velma Dinkley is a character best known for being a member of the Mystery Inc. team in Scooby-Doo.

Fictional characters named Velma

The following list of fictional characters named Velma 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.

Velma Dinkley is a fictional character from the animated television series Scooby-Doo. She is a member of Mystery Inc. known for her intelligence and problem-solving skills, often providing crucial clues to solve mysteries.

Sibling suggestions

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

VeraViolaVioletVanessaValerieVictoria

Similar names

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

SelmaWilmaGemmaElmaAlmaMelvaVelina

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Velma has ranked as high as #183 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas.

In the past 5 years the name Velma has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Velma 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 Velma 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 Velma.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 21 0 21
2024 13 0 13
2023 22 0 22
2022 25 0 25
2021 15 0 15
2020 15 0 15
2019 14 0 14
2018 21 0 21
2017 8 0 8
2016 7 0 7
2015 6 0 6
2014 13 0 13
2013 9 0 9
2012 5 0 5
2011 15 0 15
2010 9 0 9
2009 10 0 10
2008 6 0 6
2007 5 0 5
2006 9 0 9
2005 7 0 7
2004 14 0 14
2003 11 0 11
2002 14 0 14
2001 9 0 9
2000 12 0 12
1999 12 0 12
1998 16 0 16
1997 11 0 11
1996 12 0 12
1995 13 0 13
1994 19 0 19
1993 20 0 20
1992 15 0 15
1991 40 0 40
1990 33 0 33
1989 32 0 32
1988 37 0 37
1987 41 0 41
1986 43 0 43
1985 35 0 35
1984 50 0 50
1983 55 0 55
1982 58 0 58
1981 83 0 83
1980 78 0 78
1979 78 0 78
1978 83 0 83
1977 76 0 76
1976 95 0 95
1975 93 0 93
1974 110 0 110
1973 131 0 131
1972 120 0 120
1971 167 0 167
1970 181 0 181
1969 191 0 191
1968 222 0 222
1967 273 0 273
1966 299 0 299
1965 362 0 362
1964 395 0 395
1963 407 0 407
1962 464 0 464
1961 524 0 524
1960 559 0 559
1959 550 0 550
1958 502 0 502
1957 668 0 668
1956 692 0 692
1955 644 10 634
1954 754 5 749
1953 737 0 737
1952 706 0 706
1951 798 0 798
1950 825 0 825
1949 804 6 798
1948 871 0 871
1947 848 0 848
1946 881 6 875
1945 868 7 861
1944 946 11 935
1943 1,046 0 1,046
1942 1,052 0 1,052
1941 1,000 0 1,000
1940 994 8 986
1939 1,073 5 1,068
1938 1,170 10 1,160
1937 1,223 5 1,218
1936 1,191 11 1,180
1935 1,365 13 1,352
1934 1,435 9 1,426
1933 1,489 8 1,481
1932 1,712 23 1,689
1931 1,768 10 1,758
1930 1,933 15 1,918
1929 1,944 14 1,930
1928 2,303 13 2,290
1927 2,296 11 2,285
1926 2,138 18 2,120
1925 2,199 22 2,177
1924 2,292 20 2,272
1923 2,349 12 2,337
1922 2,377 10 2,367
1921 2,613 7 2,606
1920 2,509 18 2,491
1919 2,363 22 2,341
1918 2,452 13 2,439
1917 2,422 11 2,411
1916 2,330 11 2,319
1915 2,299 12 2,287
1914 1,803 8 1,795
1913 1,570 14 1,556
1912 1,408 5 1,403
1911 1,053 8 1,045
1910 1,043 8 1,035
1909 865 8 857
1908 866 6 860
1907 860 6 854
1906 721 0 721
1905 722 0 722
1904 621 6 615
1903 589 0 589
1902 526 0 526
1901 393 5 388
1900 426 0 426
1899 334 0 334
1898 331 0 331
1897 280 0 280
1896 249 0 249
1895 208 0 208
1894 196 0 196
1893 156 0 156
1892 146 0 146
1891 103 0 103
1890 96 0 96
1889 72 0 72
1888 67 0 67
1887 59 0 59
1886 33 0 33
1885 32 0 32
1884 18 0 18
1883 25 0 25
1882 17 0 17
1881 19 0 19
1880 16 0 16

Top States for Velma (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
TX 6
55%
CA 5
45%