A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wilma since 1880
Babies named Wilma per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 212 |
| 1890s | 1,109 |
| 1900s | 4,012 |
| 1910s | 21,384 |
| 1920s | 39,127 |
| 1930s | 33,188 |
| 1940s | 21,192 |
| 1950s | 12,276 |
| 1960s | 4,526 |
| 1970s | 1,239 |
| 1980s | 609 |
| 1990s | 418 |
| 2000s | 285 |
| 2010s | 300 |
| 2020s | 224 |
Meaning & origin
Wilma was a consistent top-200 name in the United States from the 1880s through the 1930s, reaching its peak at rank 1,930 in 1930, when it was given to 1 in 39,202 newborns that year. After a long decline, it has been slowly rising again since 2006, with a revival in the 2020s as vintage names return to favor. The name has a strong Germanic etymology and is associated with the sturdy, no-nonsense feel of early 20th-century names.
Wilma is a shortened form of Wilhelmina, the feminine form of Wilhelm, which itself is derived from the Old High German elements 'willio' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). The name was popularized in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and the United States. It saw peak use in the 1930s in the U.S., ranking among the top 100 names for girls.
Where Wilma 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.
“Wilma” around the world
Where Wilma 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: Willie, Mina, Willa
Variants: Wilhelmina, Willamina, Velma
Sibling names for Wilma
Names that share Wilma's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Elma, Thelma, Irma, Norma, Selma, Velma, Nelda, Wilda, Zelma, Awilda, Hertha, Melda, Velda, Belma, Berneda, Fredna, Nelma, Nelva, Relda, Velmer, Wilberta, Willma, Wynema, Wyoma, Wyona, Zelpha, Delberta, Eldean, Gilma, Talma, Thelda, Birdena, Felma, Guelda, Twylla, Valta, Walta, Welda, Wilba, Wilmary, Wilmetta
Brothers: Wilbur, Elmer, Herman, Oscar, Arthur, Bernhard, Burnell, Orville, Therman, Vernard, Waymond, Bernhardt, Derk, Thelbert, Wilberto, Wilburt, Wilmar, Winferd, Elmus, Thelmer, Walfred, Wendal, Willmer, Delmo, Dirck, Orvile, Thelton, Willman, Wilman, Wilmon
