Nelma
Every Nelma since 1907 — 1,229 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nelma
Nelma 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 1907, 1,229 American babies have been named Nelma. Its peak came in 1926, when 50 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Nelma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nelma 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 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,543 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,291 |
| 1950 | 13 | #3,004 |
| 1945 | 19 | #1,975 |
| 1940 | 25 | #1,577 |
| 1935 | 32 | #1,297 |
| 1930 | 37 | #1,246 |
| 1925 | 45 | #1,156 |
| 1920 | 30 | #1,502 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,938 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,890 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nelma in 2025?
Nelma 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 Nelma?
1,229 babies have been named Nelma in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nelma most popular?
Nelma peaked in 1926, when 50 newborns received the name.
Is Nelma a boy or girl name?
Nelma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nelma rising or falling?
Nelma has been roughly stable over the past decade.