Given name
Ilma
“determined protector”
Ilma is a form of Wilhelmina. In German use, Wilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In German use, Ilma carries the interpretation “determined protector.” Ilma is a form of Wilhelmina. In German use, Wilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is German.
How it developed
Ilma is used as a form of Wilhelmina.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1885. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Ilma through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 424
- 0 boys · 424 girls
- Most popular year
- 1917
- 15 babies
- 2025
- 14
- #7,631 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +5%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 14 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 7,631 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 4.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 694 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Ilma’s family of names
Ilma is a form of Wilhelmina. Ilma has a related form in Illma. Ilma has a related form in Illmah.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Ilma
- Ilma RakusaSwiss writer, translator (born 1946)
- Ilma Grace StoneAustralian botanist (1913-2001)
- Ilma UrrutiaGuatemalan modelborn 1962
- Ilma ČepāneLatvian politicianborn 1947
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Ilma, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Irma
“a universal woman”
>99% girls
Erma
“one who is complete; universal”
>99% girls
Zelma
“having divine protection”
>99% girls
Ida
“a king”
>99% girls
Wilma
“determined protector”
>99% girls
Selma
“having divine protection” · “peace”
>99% girls
Velma
“determined protector”
>99% girls
Frieda
“a peaceful ruler”
>99% girls