Velva
Every Velva since 1888 — 4,274 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Velva
Velva 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 1888, 4,274 American babies have been named Velva. Its peak came in 1916, when 139 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 Velva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Velva 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 | 11 | #5,503 |
| 1970 | 17 | #3,710 |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,829 |
| 1960 | 32 | #2,057 |
| 1955 | 36 | #1,770 |
| 1950 | 43 | #1,410 |
| 1945 | 51 | #1,112 |
| 1940 | 64 | #905 |
| 1935 | 71 | #811 |
| 1930 | 76 | #817 |
| 1925 | 84 | #817 |
| 1920 | 118 | #669 |
| 1915 | 123 | #588 |
| 1910 | 56 | #549 |
| 1905 | 39 | #562 |
| 1900 | 27 | #704 |
| 1895 | 13 | #926 |
| 1890 | 6 | #1,333 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Velva in 2025?
Velva 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 Velva?
4,274 babies have been named Velva in the United States since 1888, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Velva most popular?
Velva peaked in 1916, when 139 newborns received the name.
Is Velva a boy or girl name?
Velva is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Velva rising or falling?
Velva has been roughly stable over the past decade.