Selma
Every Selma since 1880 — 27,202 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Selma
Selma is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,810 in 2025 with 61 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 27,202 American babies have been named Selma. Its peak came in 1918, when 811 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 Selma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Selma 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 | 61 | #2,810 | — | — |
| 2024 | 61 | #2,794 | — | — |
| 2023 | 74 | #2,439 | — | — |
| 2022 | 63 | #2,749 | — | — |
| 2021 | 63 | #2,748 | — | — |
| 2020 | 83 | #2,191 | — | — |
| 2019 | 87 | #2,152 | — | — |
| 2018 | 79 | #2,325 | — | — |
| 2017 | 88 | #2,179 | — | — |
| 2016 | 95 | #2,081 | — | — |
| 2015 | 88 | #2,165 | — | — |
| 2014 | 109 | #1,865 | — | — |
| 2013 | 82 | #2,278 | — | — |
| 2012 | 72 | #2,542 | — | — |
| 2011 | 96 | #2,040 | — | — |
| 2010 | 86 | #2,252 | — | — |
| 2009 | 87 | #2,266 | — | — |
| 2008 | 90 | #2,217 | — | — |
| 2007 | 100 | #2,054 | — | — |
| 2006 | 103 | #1,955 | — | — |
| 2005 | 117 | #1,702 | — | — |
| 2004 | 118 | #1,653 | — | — |
| 2003 | 96 | #1,911 | — | — |
| 2002 | 74 | #2,248 | — | — |
| 2001 | 90 | #1,937 | — | — |
| 2000 | 81 | #2,049 | — | — |
| 1995 | 32 | #3,480 | — | — |
| 1990 | 35 | #3,211 | — | — |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,365 | — | — |
| 1980 | 25 | #3,395 | — | — |
| 1975 | 21 | #3,378 | — | — |
| 1970 | 40 | #2,073 | — | — |
| 1965 | 91 | #1,107 | — | — |
| 1960 | 93 | #1,130 | — | — |
| 1955 | 113 | #927 | — | — |
| 1950 | 102 | #883 | — | — |
| 1945 | 102 | #740 | 9 | #2,553 |
| 1940 | 150 | #567 | 6 | #3,416 |
| 1935 | 212 | #444 | 8 | #2,911 |
| 1930 | 550 | #273 | 9 | #2,982 |
| 1925 | 668 | #257 | 10 | #2,905 |
| 1920 | 768 | #233 | — | — |
| 1915 | 741 | #217 | 12 | #2,283 |
| 1910 | 293 | #221 | 6 | #1,559 |
| 1905 | 224 | #202 | — | — |
| 1900 | 239 | #201 | — | — |
| 1895 | 208 | #188 | — | — |
| 1890 | 165 | #183 | — | — |
| 1885 | 68 | #245 | — | — |
| 1880 | 36 | #259 | — | — |
Famous people named Selma
- Selma Lagerlöf Writer · 1858–1940
- Selma Rıza Journalist · 1872–1931
- Selma Blair Actor · b. 1972
- Selma Ergeç Actor · b. 1978
- Selma Björnsdóttir Singer · b. 1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Selma in 2025?
Selma ranked #2,810 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 61 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Selma?
27,202 babies have been named Selma in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Selma most popular?
Selma peaked in 1918, when 811 newborns received the name.
Is Selma a boy or girl name?
Selma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Selma rising or falling?
Selma is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Selma?
Well-known people named Selma include Selma Lagerlöf (writer), Selma Rıza (journalist), Selma Blair (actor).