Erma Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Erma is a name of Germanic origin, meaning whole or universal. It has evolved through various forms over the centuries, maintaining its strong and complete connotation. The name has no biblical roots and saw popularity in the late 19th century. Today, it carries a vintage appeal and is associated with notable figures like Erma Bombeck.
The name Erma is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Erma has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Erma' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2974th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3259th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6024th out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 159th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 206th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 465th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1344th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3211th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5948th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6350th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Erma' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Erma"
Pronunciation
/ˈɜːrmə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Erma is derived from the Germanic word 'ermen', which means 'whole' or 'universal'. It is often associated with the concept of strength and completeness.
Meaning
whole, universal
Language Evolution
Erma (Modern English), Ermintrude (Old High German), Erma (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Erma gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries. It was often seen as a traditional and strong name.
Variants & Derivatives
Irma, Ermine
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Erma is seen as a vintage name that evokes a sense of nostalgia. It is not as commonly used today but is appreciated for its classic charm.
Famous People
Erma Bombeck, an American humorist and journalist known for her humorous writing about suburban family life.
Explore More Erma Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Erma"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Erma"
"Erma" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2974th of 7545 | 124 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3259th of 6773 | 98 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6024th of 7552 | 16 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 159th of 9107 | 25,933 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 206th of 9204 | 16,511 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 465th of 12526 | 7,394 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1344th of 19264 | 1,306 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3211th of 27321 | 511 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5948th of 35406 | 329 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6350th of 30306 | 229 |
Regional Popularity of "Erma" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Erma" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
8.69% 123rd/1416 |
13.27% 183rd/1379 |
7.06% 167th/2366 |
11.47% 131st/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
12.35% 191st/1546 |
18.51% 288th/1556 |
7.48% 176th/2353 |
16.81% 260th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
24.11% 537th/2227 |
32.92% 800th/2430 |
11.88% 339th/2853 |
20.61% 572nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
40.52% 1190th/2937 |
52.37% 1824th/3483 |
30.84% 1085th/3518 |
33.09% 1338th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
49.17% 1812th/3685 |
65.63% 2937th/4475 |
73.12% 3798th/5194 |
66.46% 4198th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
59.49% 2726th/4582 |
61.33% 3167th/5164 |
- | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
75.85% 3022nd/3984 |
56.85% 2551st/4487 |
- |
100.00% 6276th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Erma"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Erma" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.