Holding steady.
Popularity of Helma since 1880
Babies named Helma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Helma's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 41 |
| 1890s | 115 |
| 1900s | 95 |
| 1910s | 154 |
| 1920s | 125 |
| 1930s | 49 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Helma is a Germanic diminutive form of Wilhelmina or similar names containing the element helm 'helmet, protection'. It was first recorded in the US in 1880 and saw modest use at the turn of the century, with its peak year in 1894. The name has remained stable in usage but never entered the top 1000 since the late 19th century; its one-in-N ratio is undefined due to rarity. No state recorded Helma among its top names in any year. Today, it is considered an uncommon choice, often appealing to families honoring German heritage or seeking a vintage name with a strong, protective meaning.
Helma originated as a diminutive or short form of Germanic names such as Wilhelmina, which combines wil 'will, desire' and helm 'helmet, protection'. It was also used independently in German and Dutch naming traditions. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Germany and the United States among families of German heritage.
“Helma” around the world
Where Helma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Helme
Sibling names for Helma
Names that share Helma's style, for a brother or sister.
