Declining since 1985, #2,002 for girls today.
Popularity of Norma since 1880
Babies named Norma per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 590 |
| 1890s | 1,885 |
| 1900s | 3,335 |
| 1910s | 15,500 |
| 1920s | 65,241 |
| 1930s | 72,878 |
| 1940s | 43,030 |
| 1950s | 30,801 |
| 1960s | 21,519 |
| 1970s | 10,272 |
| 1980s | 5,553 |
| 1990s | 4,109 |
| 2000s | 1,992 |
| 2010s | 852 |
| 2020s | 514 |
Meaning & origin
Norma enjoyed its peak popularity in 1931, when it was a top-20 name across the United States, especially in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and Texas. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily falling, and in 2025 it ranked 2002 with roughly 1 in 16919 girls receiving the name. Despite its decline, Norma retains a classic, no-nonsense feel, evocative of mid-century American naming patterns. Its Latin etymology gives it a sense of order and tradition, though it has largely faded from common use.
Norma likely originates from the Latin noun 'norma', meaning a carpenter's square or rule, implying pattern, standard, or precept. It may also have arisen as a feminine form of the name Norman, from the Old French 'Normant', referring to a Norseman. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, possibly influenced by the character Norma in Vincenzo Bellini's 1831 opera of the same name. It was a top-20 name in the United States during the 1930s, peaking in popularity in 1931.
Where Norma is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Norma” around the world
Where Norma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Normie
Sibling names for Norma
Names that share Norma's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Norma
Names whose popularity has moved with Norma's over the last 50 years.
