Zelma Girl

Popularity: #932 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

SelmaZeldaZinaZaraZadie

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.

ZeldaSelmaZinaZaraZellaZinaidaZelinaZelena

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Zelma has ranked as high as #523 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Missouri.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 16 0 16
2024 17 0 17
2023 14 0 14
2022 12 0 12
2021 12 0 12
2020 10 0 10
2019 14 0 14
2018 16 0 16
2017 7 0 7
2016 13 0 13
2015 13 0 13
2014 6 0 6
2013 5 0 5
2012 5 0 5
2011 5 0 5
2010 8 0 8
2009 5 0 5
2008 8 0 8
2007 5 0 5
2006 8 0 8
2005 8 0 8
2002 5 0 5
2000 6 0 6
1999 7 0 7
1998 7 0 7
1997 5 0 5
1996 8 0 8
1994 10 0 10
1992 8 0 8
1991 6 0 6
1989 7 0 7
1988 7 0 7
1987 6 0 6
1986 9 0 9
1985 10 0 10
1983 10 0 10
1982 8 0 8
1981 14 0 14
1980 7 0 7
1979 14 0 14
1978 10 0 10
1977 8 0 8
1976 12 0 12
1975 18 0 18
1974 15 0 15
1973 27 0 27
1972 17 0 17
1971 24 0 24
1970 18 0 18
1969 20 0 20
1968 28 0 28
1967 25 0 25
1966 43 0 43
1965 42 0 42
1964 44 0 44
1963 41 0 41
1962 57 0 57
1961 65 0 65
1960 62 0 62
1959 81 0 81
1958 83 0 83
1957 77 0 77
1956 96 0 96
1955 104 0 104
1954 120 0 120
1953 106 0 106
1952 96 0 96
1951 103 0 103
1950 120 0 120
1949 150 0 150
1948 115 0 115
1947 146 0 146
1946 143 0 143
1945 168 0 168
1944 157 6 151
1943 178 0 178
1942 181 0 181
1941 148 0 148
1940 190 0 190
1939 185 5 180
1938 194 0 194
1937 196 5 191
1936 185 0 185
1935 237 0 237
1934 280 8 272
1933 230 0 230
1932 303 0 303
1931 284 0 284
1930 375 5 370
1929 347 0 347
1928 377 6 371
1927 382 0 382
1926 362 6 356
1925 431 0 431
1924 422 5 417
1923 447 0 447
1922 476 9 467
1921 457 12 445
1920 448 0 448
1919 494 6 488
1918 479 8 471
1917 487 10 477
1916 471 5 466
1915 492 5 487
1914 373 0 373
1913 342 0 342
1912 307 0 307
1911 268 0 268
1910 220 0 220
1909 240 0 240
1908 199 0 199
1907 212 0 212
1906 188 0 188
1905 161 0 161
1904 198 0 198
1903 182 6 176
1902 189 0 189
1901 127 0 127
1900 131 0 131
1899 120 0 120
1898 104 0 104
1897 104 0 104
1896 82 0 82
1895 80 0 80
1894 77 0 77
1893 57 0 57
1892 56 0 56
1891 63 0 63
1890 52 0 52
1889 43 0 43
1888 42 5 37
1887 27 0 27
1886 32 0 32
1885 18 0 18
1884 29 0 29
1883 16 0 16
1882 21 0 21
1881 17 0 17
1880 19 0 19

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. 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
CA 5
100%