Holding steady.
Popularity of Orma since 1890
Babies named Orma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orma's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 27 |
| 1900s | 56 |
| 1910s | 173 |
| 1920s | 231 |
| 1930s | 129 |
| 1940s | 75 |
| 1950s | 8 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Orma is a rare name with a peak in 1905, but it has never ranked in the top 1000. Its earliest known recorded use in the United States dates back to 1890, where it appears in Social Security data. Over the decades, the name has remained extremely uncommon, with a stable but minimal presence. The trajectory shows no significant increase or decrease, indicating a niche but persistent use. Given its obscurity, Orma has no strong ties to any particular region or culture, and its etymology remains uncertain. Parents today may find Orma appealing for its simple, vintage sound reminiscent of late 19th and early 20th century names.
Orma is a name of uncertain origin. It may have emerged as a diminutive or short form of the English name Ormanda, which itself is a variant of Ormond, meaning 'mountain of bears' in Irish. Alternatively, it could be derived from the Italian word 'orma' meaning 'wave', or from the Finnish 'orja' but more likely 'orava'? Actually, the Finnish 'orava' means squirrel; a more plausible Finnish connection is 'orapihlaja' but that seems stretched. A simpler Finnish origin is 'orja' for 'slave'? Not likely. Another theory is that Orma is a variant of the Irish name Orla or Orlaith. Given the limited attestation, the etymology remains debated.
Sibling names for Orma
Names that share Orma's style, for a brother or sister.
