Zelma
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Zelma
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 is also given to boys.
Pronounced ZEL-muh.
As of October 2026, Zelma ranked #3429 for boys in US births in 1944 and #7128 for girls in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1129 for boys in 1903 and #216 for girls in 1902.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Zelma.
Zelma on lists
Famous Zelmas
- Zelma DavisGirl
American singer of group of C+C Music Factory
- Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth HedrickGirl
birth name of Kathryn Grayson, American actress and opera singer
- Zelma WilsonGirl
American architect
- Zelma O'NealGirl
American actress, singer, dancer
- Zelma Watson GeorgeGirl
American singer and philanthropist
- Zelma R. LongGirl
American oenologist and vintner
Zelma in pop culture
- AzelmaGirl
sister of Eponine in book/musical "Les Misérables"
- ZelmaGirl
a character in "Fran Bow"
Variations & nicknames
- ZellmaGirl