Zelma
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.
As of October 2026, Zelma ranked #7128 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #216 in 1902.
Editor's take: The name Zelma is a girl's name of German origin meaning "God helmet".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
- Merle
- Clarie
- Milou
- Sigourney
- Sabinella
- Perla
- Lotta
- Verna
- Silvie
- Sidda
- Pilar
- Angelou
- Delancey
- Dorian
- Galilee
- Flannery
- Roz
- Louetta
- Sosie
- Abeline
Zelma on lists
Famous Zelmas
- 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
Zelma in pop culture
- Azelma
sister of Eponine in book/musical "Les Misérables"
- Zelma
a character in "Fran Bow"