Zelma

German, diminutive of Anselma

"God helmet"

Zelma Origin and Meaning

The name Zelma is a girl's name of German origin meaning "God helmet".

Familiar in the US, Brazil, and Latvia in the early 20th century, Zelma has been off the radar for some time. While the Selma-Thelma-Velma connection might date it, with Zelda and Alma sparking recent interest and clunky names holding new appeal, Zelma may be one to reconsider.

Derived from Anselm meaning "god's helmet", Zelma has been notably borne by singer and actress Zelma O'Neal, philanthropist and opera singer Zelma Watson George, and by civil rights activist Zelma Henderson (born Zelma Cleota Hurst). More recently, it has appeared on a character in the Marvel TV series Ironheart, while Liberian singer Zelma Davis and actress Zelma Cherem are two more bearers.

Zelma was given to just 17 girls in the US in a recent year, but this is the highest number born since the 70s.

Zelma Rank in US Top 1000

# 981 in the US

20 Names Similar to Zelma

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Zelma.

• Silvie
• Verna
• Sigourney
• Merle
• Perla
• Milou
• Prue
• Lotta
• Dulcie
• Percy
• Flannery
• Beryl
• Galilee
• Shoshanna
• Mitzi
• Pascale
• Abilene
• Pilar
• Tilda
• Avis

Famous People Named Zelma

• Zelma Davis American singer of group of C+C Music Factory
• Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick birth name of Kathryn Grayson, American actress and opera singer
• Zelma Wilson American architect
• Zelma O'Neal American actress, singer, dancer
• Zelma Watson George American singer and philanthropist
• Zelma R. Long American oenologist and vintner

The name Zelma in Pop Culture

• Azelma sister of Eponine in book/musical "Les Misérables"
• Zelma a character in "Fran Bow"