Velma
Coined at the end of the 19th century, by analogy with Thelma and Wilma.
Every Velma since 1880 — 87,202 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Velma
Velma is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #5,903 in 2025 with 21 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 87,202 American babies have been named Velma. Its peak came in 1921, when 2,613 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 Velma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Velma 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 | 21 | #5,903 | — | — |
| 2024 | 13 | #8,407 | — | — |
| 2023 | 22 | #5,737 | — | — |
| 2022 | 25 | #5,298 | — | — |
| 2021 | 15 | #7,613 | — | — |
| 2020 | 15 | #7,546 | — | — |
| 2019 | 14 | #8,107 | — | — |
| 2018 | 21 | #5,992 | — | — |
| 2017 | 8 | #12,653 | — | — |
| 2016 | 7 | #14,238 | — | — |
| 2015 | 6 | #16,293 | — | — |
| 2014 | 13 | #8,940 | — | — |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,904 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #19,377 | — | — |
| 2011 | 15 | #8,170 | — | — |
| 2010 | 9 | #12,219 | — | — |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,410 | — | — |
| 2008 | 6 | #17,375 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #20,401 | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,376 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #14,438 | — | — |
| 2004 | 14 | #8,230 | — | — |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,648 | — | — |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,805 | — | — |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,984 | — | — |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,518 | — | — |
| 1995 | 13 | #7,026 | — | — |
| 1990 | 33 | #3,356 | — | — |
| 1985 | 35 | #2,746 | — | — |
| 1980 | 78 | #1,527 | — | — |
| 1975 | 93 | #1,240 | — | — |
| 1970 | 181 | #783 | — | — |
| 1965 | 362 | #500 | — | — |
| 1960 | 559 | #407 | — | — |
| 1955 | 634 | #338 | 10 | #2,750 |
| 1950 | 825 | #267 | — | — |
| 1945 | 861 | #223 | 7 | #2,982 |
| 1940 | 986 | #188 | 8 | #2,854 |
| 1935 | 1,352 | #147 | 13 | #2,123 |
| 1930 | 1,918 | #127 | 15 | #2,071 |
| 1925 | 2,177 | #128 | 22 | #1,676 |
| 1920 | 2,491 | #105 | 18 | #1,959 |
| 1915 | 2,287 | #94 | 12 | #2,300 |
| 1910 | 1,035 | #90 | 8 | #1,304 |
| 1905 | 722 | #95 | — | — |
| 1900 | 426 | #141 | — | — |
| 1895 | 208 | #189 | — | — |
| 1890 | 96 | #257 | — | — |
| 1885 | 32 | #364 | — | — |
| 1880 | 16 | #434 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Velma mean?
Coined at the end of the 19th century, by analogy with Thelma and Wilma.
How popular is the name Velma in 2025?
Velma ranked #5,903 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 21 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Velma?
87,202 babies have been named Velma in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Velma most popular?
Velma peaked in 1921, when 2,613 newborns received the name.
Is Velma a boy or girl name?
Velma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Velma rising or falling?
Velma is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.