Declining since 1986, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Delmar since 1880
Babies named Delmar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 62 |
| 1890s | 77 |
| 1900s | 244 |
| 1910s | 1,750 |
| 1920s | 3,207 |
| 1930s | 2,994 |
| 1940s | 1,932 |
| 1950s | 1,323 |
| 1960s | 824 |
| 1970s | 595 |
| 1980s | 376 |
| 1990s | 292 |
| 2000s | 219 |
| 2010s | 224 |
| 2020s | 123 |
Meaning & origin
Delmar, meaning 'of the sea', is a name with a distinctly American flavor that rose and fell in the 20th century. First recorded in the Social Security data in 1880, it achieved its peak popularity in 1931, when it was used for hundreds of newborn boys nationwide. Over the following decades, its usage declined; the name has been falling consistently since 1986. By 2025, Delmar had a rank of 5,861, with a rarity of about 1 in every 113,872 boys given the name. Though it was most common in the 1930s, it has never seen a revival and remains an uncommon choice today. Its top states of usage are not recorded, suggesting it was spread fairly evenly rather than concentrated in any single region.
Delmar originated as a place name combining the Spanish 'del' (of the) and 'mar' (sea). It began to be used as a given name in the United States in the late 19th century, likely influenced by coastal towns named Del Mar. The name saw notable popularity in the early 20th century, peaking in 1931.
Where Delmar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Del, Delly
Variants: Del Mar, Delmer
Sibling names for Delmar
Names that share Delmar's style, for a brother or sister.
