Holding steady.
Popularity of Adelma since 1907
Babies named Adelma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adelma's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 44 |
| 1920s | 48 |
| 1930s | 16 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Adelma is a rare feminine name with likely Germanic roots, first recorded in the United States in 1907. Despite its early 20th-century debut, it has never entered the top 1000 and remains an uncommon choice. Its peak year was 1907, the same year it first appeared, suggesting very occasional use. The name's trajectory is stable, with no significant surges in popularity. Adelma is almost exclusively given to girls, though its exact etymology is debated; it may be a feminine form of Adelmo or a variant of Adalma, connecting it to Germanic elements meaning 'noble' and 'protection'. Without a single top state to anchor its usage, Adelma remains a scattered, infrequent name, appealing to those seeking a distinctive yet historically grounded option.
Adelma is likely a feminine form of Adelmo, which derives from the Germanic elements 'adal' (noble) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). It is used in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese contexts. The name has never been common in English-speaking countries, appearing sporadically in birth records since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Addie, Delma
Variants: Adelina, Adalma
Sibling names for Adelma
Names that share Adelma's style, for a brother or sister.
