Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Delmer since 1883
Babies named Delmer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 23 |
| 1890s | 37 |
| 1900s | 130 |
| 1910s | 986 |
| 1920s | 1,906 |
| 1930s | 1,738 |
| 1940s | 1,159 |
| 1950s | 727 |
| 1960s | 397 |
| 1970s | 221 |
| 1980s | 108 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 72 |
| 2010s | 47 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Delmer is a name that saw its greatest popularity in the early 20th century, reaching a peak rank in 1919. Though its exact derivation is uncertain, it is generally considered a variant of Delmar, itself a modern coinage from the Spanish phrase 'del mar.' In 2025, Delmer ranked 12,008th for boys, with only 1 in 341,615 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory has been stable in recent years, never experiencing a revival. The name evokes the style of an earlier era, much like other short 'El' names such as Elmer and Velma.
Delmer appears to be a variant of the name Delmar, which was likely coined from the Spanish phrase 'del mar' meaning 'of the sea.' It was most popular in the United States in the early 20th century, with its peak in 1919.
Where Delmer 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
Variants: Delmar
Sibling names for Delmer
Names that share Delmer's style, for a brother or sister.
