Elma
A female given name originating as a coinage.
Every Elma since 1880 — 22,186 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elma
Elma is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,384 in 2025 with 32 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 22,186 American babies have been named Elma. Its peak came in 1918, when 674 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 Elma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elma year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | #4,384 | — | — |
| 2024 | 30 | #4,591 | — | — |
| 2023 | 23 | #5,434 | — | — |
| 2022 | 25 | #5,211 | — | — |
| 2021 | 32 | #4,350 | — | — |
| 2020 | 18 | #6,416 | — | — |
| 2019 | 27 | #4,948 | — | — |
| 2018 | 32 | #4,384 | — | — |
| 2017 | 32 | #4,425 | — | — |
| 2016 | 27 | #5,038 | — | — |
| 2015 | 31 | #4,520 | — | — |
| 2014 | 27 | #5,067 | — | — |
| 2013 | 23 | #5,708 | — | — |
| 2012 | 35 | #4,238 | — | — |
| 2011 | 33 | #4,391 | — | — |
| 2010 | 31 | #4,645 | — | — |
| 2009 | 37 | #4,126 | — | — |
| 2008 | 37 | #4,206 | — | — |
| 2007 | 39 | #4,003 | — | — |
| 2006 | 37 | #4,020 | — | — |
| 2005 | 47 | #3,283 | — | — |
| 2004 | 37 | #3,845 | — | — |
| 2003 | 51 | #2,964 | — | — |
| 2002 | 40 | #3,413 | — | — |
| 2001 | 48 | #2,974 | — | — |
| 2000 | 38 | #3,470 | — | — |
| 1995 | 19 | #5,079 | — | — |
| 1990 | 14 | #6,230 | — | — |
| 1985 | 22 | #3,761 | — | — |
| 1980 | 22 | #3,641 | — | — |
| 1975 | 29 | #2,630 | — | — |
| 1970 | 34 | #2,279 | — | — |
| 1965 | 66 | #1,354 | — | — |
| 1960 | 111 | #1,023 | — | — |
| 1955 | 104 | #978 | — | — |
| 1950 | 143 | #717 | 6 | #3,427 |
| 1945 | 179 | #547 | 5 | #3,459 |
| 1940 | 204 | #470 | 8 | #2,723 |
| 1935 | 267 | #393 | 9 | #2,589 |
| 1930 | 362 | #346 | 9 | #2,839 |
| 1925 | 487 | #301 | 17 | #1,953 |
| 1920 | 600 | #266 | 20 | #1,775 |
| 1915 | 575 | #245 | 12 | #2,211 |
| 1910 | 273 | #235 | — | — |
| 1905 | 171 | #245 | 5 | #1,290 |
| 1900 | 182 | #235 | — | — |
| 1895 | 137 | #234 | — | — |
| 1890 | 108 | #234 | — | — |
| 1885 | 76 | #227 | — | — |
| 1880 | 28 | #297 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elma mean?
A female given name originating as a coinage.
How popular is the name Elma in 2025?
Elma ranked #4,384 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 32 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Elma?
22,186 babies have been named Elma in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elma most popular?
Elma peaked in 1918, when 674 newborns received the name.
Is Elma a boy or girl name?
Elma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elma rising or falling?
Elma is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.