Girl · 2145th of 9,107
Willma
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
673
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
27
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Willma stands across generations
This name is not present in the Generation Alpha ranking.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Willma is a name of Germanic origin, meaning 'resolute protector'. It evolved from Old High German and has historical forms like Willemina and Wilhelmina. The name is associated with traits of strength and independence, and it has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the late 19th century and remains a unique choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪlmə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
Willma is derived from the Germanic elements 'wil' meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Wilma (Old High German), Willemina (Old German), Wilhelmina (Dutch)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 19th to early 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Wilma, Willa, Wilhelmina, Willie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Willma is perceived as a vintage and unique name, often associated with strong and independent women.
Famous People
Willma Rudolph (American Olympic athlete), Willma Smith (American artist)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 27 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 4 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2145th of 9107 | 289 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2331st of 9204 | 248 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4852nd of 12526 | 125 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 18004th of 19264 | 6 |