Holding steady.
Popularity of Wylma since 1899
Babies named Wylma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wylma's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 34 |
| 1910s | 168 |
| 1920s | 190 |
| 1930s | 80 |
| 1940s | 51 |
| 1950s | 13 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Wylma is a rare variant of Wilma, itself a diminutive of Wilhelmina, the feminine form of Wilhelm. The name first appeared in US records in 1899, but it never achieved widespread popularity. Its peak year was 1914, yet even then it did not rank in the national top 1000. The trajectory has been stable but with extremely low usage; no top states were recorded. Wylma represents a creative spelling from an era when names like Thelma and Velma had more currency, but it has since become a historical curiosity rather than a contemporary choice.
Wylma is a variant of Wilma, which is a short form of Wilhelmina, the feminine form of Wilhelm, the German equivalent of William. William derives from the Old Norman name Willaume, composed of the Germanic elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). The name Wylma was recorded in the United States as early as 1899 and saw modest use in the early 20th century, with its peak in 1914. It is a less common spelling variant that has largely fallen out of use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Willy, Mimi
Variants: Wilma, Wilhelmina
Sibling names for Wylma
Names that share Wylma's style, for a brother or sister.
