The nameSelma
Selma is a Nordic favourite with a literary past. It was a top 200 American name in the 1890s.
- Girl's name
- Scottish literary
Meaning
Selma is often traced to James Macpherson's Ossian poems, where it is the name of a hall. It is also linked to Anselma.
Origin
Scottish literary, then Scandinavian.
History
In the United States Selma reached 163rd place in 1891. It is a classic in Sweden.
Did you know?
- Selma Lagerlöf's The Wonderful Adventures of Nils was first commissioned as a book to teach Swedish schoolchildren geography.
Famous people named Selma
- Selma Lagerlöf, Nobel prize winning novelist
- Selma Blair, actress
Popularity of the name Selma
Selma in the United States
Selma was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 6,851 births over the decade, 25% of all recorded babies named Selma. Its rise began around 1886, and it peaked in 1918. Half of all babies named Selma in the United States were born before 1923, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 69 births a year on average, against 87 in the five years before.
Selma in France
Selma was most popular in France in the 2010s, with 4,995 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Selma. Its rise began around 1983, and it peaked in 2011. Half of all babies named Selma in France were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 312 births a year on average, against 462 in the five years before.
Selma in Belgium
Selma in Switzerland
Selma in Austria
Selma in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Selma
Names from the same generation as Selma, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Selma? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Selma with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Selma side by side with the name of your choice.
Selma in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Selma mean?
Selma is often traced to James Macpherson's Ossian poems, where it is the name of a hall. It is also linked to Anselma.
What is the origin of the name Selma?
Scottish literary, then Scandinavian.
Is Selma a girl's or a boy's name?
Selma is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Selma?
In 2024, Selma was the 2768th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 61 births.
What are the variants of the name Selma?
Variants and related names of Selma include Salma.
What are good sibling names for Selma?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ilana, Sonja, Samia and Simona for a sister, Donnie, Kamil, Edmond and Konrad for a brother.
Who are famous people named Selma?
Selma Lagerlöf, Nobel prize winning novelist; Selma Blair, actress.