Belma
Every Belma since 1895 — 640 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Belma
Belma is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1895, 640 American babies have been named Belma. Its peak came in 1918, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Belma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Belma year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #15,632 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #15,912 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #14,867 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 7 | #13,723 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9,826 |
| 2010 | 12 | #9,318 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,533 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,070 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8,597 |
| 2006 | 13 | #8,799 |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,409 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,467 |
| 2003 | 18 | #6,351 |
| 2002 | 11 | #8,930 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #15,366 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 6 | #5,861 |
| 1960 | 8 | #4,798 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,093 |
| 1950 | 8 | #3,984 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,621 |
| 1925 | 7 | #4,074 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,368 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,890 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,789 |
| 1905 | 5 | #1,963 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,620 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Belma in 2025?
Belma did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Belma?
640 babies have been named Belma in the United States since 1895, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Belma most popular?
Belma peaked in 1918, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Belma a boy or girl name?
Belma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Belma rising or falling?
Belma is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.