Given name
Velma
“determined protector”
Velma is a form of Wilhelmina. In German use, Wilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In German use, Velma carries the interpretation “determined protector.” Velma is a form of Wilhelmina. In German use, Wilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
A possible origin is German, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
Velma is used as a form of Wilhelmina.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Velma through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 87,202
- 450 boys · 86,752 girls
- Most popular year
- 1921
- 2,613 babies
- 2025
- 21
- #5,903 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +48%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 21 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 5,903 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 47.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 2,606 in 1921. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 23,131 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.
Velma’s family of names
Velma has a related form in Vilma. Velma is a form of Wilhelmina. Velma has a related form in Valma.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Velma
- Velma Dunndiver (1918–2007)
- Velma MiddletonAmerican singer (1917–1961)
- Velma WallisAmerican writer, Gwich'in peopleborn 1960
- Velma Caldwell MelvilleAmerican editor, writer1858–1924
- Velma Bronn JohnstonAmerican wild horse advocate (1912 – 1977)
Characters named Velma: Velma Dinkley (the Scooby-Doo universe).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Velma, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Erma
“one who is complete; universal”
>99% girls
Elma
“having God's protection”
>99% girls
Wilma
“determined protector”
>99% girls
Irma
“a universal woman”
>99% girls
Delma
“a noble protector”
15% boys · 85% girls
Hilda
“a battlemaiden”
>99% girls
Tilda
“one who is mighty in battle”
>99% girls
Bertha
“one who is famously bright and beautiful”
>99% girls