Zelma Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEL-ma //ˈzɛl.mə//
Origin: English; German
Meaning: English: helmet of God; German: determined protector
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zelma has its roots in the Hebrew name "Selma," which is derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning "peace." This name transitioned through various linguistic forms, eventually reaching the English language via German and Yiddish influences. The transformation from Hebrew to English reflects a broader pattern of migration and cultural exchange, particularly among Jewish communities in Europe, where names often adapted to fit local languages and customs.
Historically, the name Zelma gained some recognition in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was sometimes used as a variant of Selma. The name Selma itself has biblical connections, as it is associated with the ancient city mentioned in the Book of Joshua.
Additionally, the name Selma was borne by notable figures, including Selma Lagerlöf, a Swedish author who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909, although this connection is more indirect. Culturally, Zelma has been associated with themes of peace and tranquility, reflecting its etymological roots.
The name has occasionally appeared in literature and popular culture, contributing to its resonance as a symbol of serenity. While Zelma may not have a plethora of diminutive forms, its connection to Selma provides a historical context that enriches its significance.
Overall, the name embodies a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural symbolism, illustrating the enduring nature of names as carriers of meaning across generations.
Famous people named Zelma
In this section, you will find notable people named Zelma. 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 Zelma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zelma 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.
Zelma Davis is a singer best known for her work with the group Sweet Sensation and the hit song 'Hooked on You'.
Zelma Badu is a singer and songwriter best known for her contributions to the music industry and her connection to Erykah Badu.
Fictional characters named Zelma
The following list of fictional characters named Zelma 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.
Zelma is a fictional character from the animated series The Magic School Bus. She is a student in Ms. Frizzle's class who often participates in the educational adventures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zelma, 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 Zelma. 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 Zelma was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Zelma has ranked as high as #467 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Zelma has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zelma 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 Zelma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zelma (1979)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 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 Zelma.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1979 | 14 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1975 | 18 |
| 1974 | 15 |
| 1973 | 27 |
| 1972 | 17 |
| 1971 | 24 |
| 1970 | 18 |
| 1969 | 20 |
| 1968 | 28 |
| 1967 | 25 |
| 1966 | 43 |
| 1965 | 42 |
| 1964 | 44 |
| 1963 | 41 |
| 1962 | 57 |
| 1961 | 65 |
| 1960 | 62 |
| 1959 | 81 |
| 1958 | 83 |
| 1957 | 77 |
| 1956 | 96 |
| 1955 | 104 |
| 1954 | 120 |
| 1953 | 106 |
| 1952 | 96 |
| 1951 | 103 |
| 1950 | 120 |
| 1949 | 150 |
| 1948 | 115 |
| 1947 | 146 |
| 1946 | 143 |
| 1945 | 168 |
| 1944 | 151 |
| 1943 | 178 |
| 1942 | 181 |
| 1941 | 148 |
| 1940 | 190 |
| 1939 | 180 |
| 1938 | 194 |
| 1937 | 191 |
| 1936 | 185 |
| 1935 | 237 |
| 1934 | 272 |
| 1933 | 230 |
| 1932 | 303 |
| 1931 | 284 |
| 1930 | 370 |
| 1929 | 347 |
| 1928 | 371 |
| 1927 | 382 |
| 1926 | 356 |
| 1925 | 431 |
| 1924 | 417 |
| 1923 | 447 |
| 1922 | 467 |
| 1921 | 445 |
| 1920 | 448 |
| 1919 | 488 |
| 1918 | 471 |
| 1917 | 477 |
| 1916 | 466 |
| 1915 | 487 |
| 1914 | 373 |
| 1913 | 342 |
| 1912 | 307 |
| 1911 | 268 |
| 1910 | 220 |
| 1909 | 240 |
| 1908 | 199 |
| 1907 | 212 |
| 1906 | 188 |
| 1905 | 161 |
| 1904 | 198 |
| 1903 | 176 |
| 1902 | 189 |
| 1901 | 127 |
| 1900 | 131 |
| 1899 | 120 |
| 1898 | 104 |
| 1897 | 104 |
| 1896 | 82 |
| 1895 | 80 |
| 1894 | 77 |
| 1893 | 57 |
| 1892 | 56 |
| 1891 | 63 |
| 1890 | 52 |
| 1889 | 43 |
| 1888 | 37 |
| 1887 | 27 |
| 1886 | 32 |
| 1885 | 18 |
| 1884 | 29 |
| 1883 | 16 |
| 1882 | 21 |
| 1881 | 17 |
| 1880 | 19 |