Given name & surname
Vilma
“determined protector”·“will”·“desire”
Vilma is a variant of Vilhelmina. In Swedish use, Vilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.” In Hungarian use, Vilma is a feminine form of William. William’s elements mean “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.” “Determined protector” is a natural interpretation of that combination.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Vilma is a variant of Vilhelmina. In Swedish use, Vilhelmina carries the interpretation “determined protector.” In Hungarian use, Vilma is a feminine form of William. William’s elements mean “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.” “Determined protector” is a natural interpretation of that combination.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In Hungarian use, Vilma is a feminine form of William. William is an English form of a Germanic name brought to England by the Normans.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Latvian usage, Vilma is a short form of Wilhelmina. In Lithuanian usage, Vilma is a feminine form of VILHELMAS. In Hungarian use, Vilma is a feminine form of William. The shared background comes through William: William joins the Germanic elements wil and helm. The second element began with the concrete image of a helmet and also carried the broader idea of protection.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1901. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In Hungarian use, Vilma is a feminine form of William. The history of William gives this family its wider story. William spread widely in England after the Norman Conquest, among people beyond the Norman ruling class. William remained prominent through the Middle Ages and became a royal name in England, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Vilma through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,989
- 0 boys · 4,989 girls
- Most popular year
- 1927
- 213 babies
- 2025
- 14
- #7,861 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +10%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 14 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 7,861 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 10.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 213 in 1927. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 19,610 as a first name in 2020; 123 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Vilma’s family of names
In Latvian usage, Vilma is a short form of Wilhelmina. Vilma is a feminine form of William. Vilma has an alternative spelling in Wilma.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Vilma has relatives in 7 languages.
7 related names in 7 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Vilma
- Vilma EspínCuban politician (1930-2007)
- Princess Wilhelmine of BadenGerman princess (1788-1836)
- Vilma Hugonnaifirst Hungarian female physician (1847–1922)
- Vilma BánkyHungarian-American film actress (1901–1991)1898–1991
- Vilma SantosFilipino actress and politicianborn 1953
- Vilma DegischerAustrian actress (1911–1992)
- Vilma EgresiCanoe racer (1936-1979)
- Vilma RyyttyFinnish cross-country skierborn 2001
- Vilma BardauskienėLithuanian long jumperborn 1953
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Vilma, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ima
“one who is complete; a universal woman”
>99% girls
Elnora
“shining light”
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Elmira
“a princess; daughter born to royalty”
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Leonore
“the shining light”
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Cleta
“a father's glory; of the royal family”
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Alene
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Alida
“small and winged”
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Helene
“the shining light”
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