Selmer
Every Selmer since 1887 — 769 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Selmer
Selmer 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 1887, 769 American babies have been named Selmer. Its peak came in 1916, when 43 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 Selmer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Selmer 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #4,122 |
| 1945 | — | — | 7 | #2,959 |
| 1940 | — | — | 7 | #3,093 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,687 |
| 1930 | — | — | 13 | #2,279 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,668 | 22 | #1,669 |
| 1920 | — | — | 26 | #1,493 |
| 1915 | — | — | 39 | #1,034 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,399 |
| 1900 | — | — | 8 | #1,037 |
| 1895 | — | — | 5 | #1,217 |
| 1890 | — | — | 9 | #730 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Selmer in 2025?
Selmer 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 Selmer?
769 babies have been named Selmer in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Selmer most popular?
Selmer peaked in 1916, when 43 newborns received the name.
Is Selmer a boy or girl name?
Selmer is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Selmer rising or falling?
Selmer has been roughly stable over the past decade.