A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Zelma since 1880
Babies named Zelma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zelma's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 259 |
| 1890s | 795 |
| 1900s | 1,821 |
| 1910s | 3,899 |
| 1920s | 4,111 |
| 1930s | 2,446 |
| 1940s | 1,570 |
| 1950s | 986 |
| 1960s | 427 |
| 1970s | 163 |
| 1980s | 78 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 45 |
| 2010s | 92 |
| 2020s | 81 |
Meaning & origin
Zelma is a name that saw its peak popularity in the early 20th century, reaching its highest rank in 1904. After decades of declining use, it has experienced a quiet revival since 2003, though it remains uncommon. In 2025, Zelma ranked 6,838 in the U.S., with a 1-in-100,454 incidence among newborn girls. Its earliest recorded use dates back to 1880, the first year of Social Security data. The name's modest resurgence suggests a renewed interest in vintage names, though Zelma has yet to appear among top state lists. Its origins are likely Germanic, possibly as a feminine form of Selma or a short form of Anzelma, but the etymology remains uncertain. Zelma carries an old-fashioned charm without the weight of overexposure, appealing to parents seeking a rare but familiar-sounding choice.
Zelma is likely a variant of Selma, which itself may derive from the Germanic element 'helm' (helmet, protection) or be a short form of Anselma, the feminine form of Anselm. It gained some usage in the English-speaking world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it saw a brief peak in the 1900s.
Where Zelma 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zell, Zel
Variants: Selma, Zelmae
Sibling names for Zelma
Names that share Zelma's style, for a brother or sister.
