Nelma Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nelma originates from Spanish and is thought to mean 'a bright light'. It has evolved from the names Nel and Emma and carries a positive connotation. There is no biblical relevance associated with this name, and it gained popularity in the 20th century. Variants include Nel and Emma, and it is viewed positively in modern times.
The name Nelma is most popular in West Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. 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, Nelma has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Nelma' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1456th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1412th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4299th out of 12526 names. Discover how the name 'Nelma' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nelma"
Pronunciation
/ˈnɛlmə/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Nelma is believed to have originated from the combination of the names 'Nel' and 'Emma'. It may also be connected to the word 'nelma', which means 'a bright light' in some cultures.
Meaning
a bright light
Language Evolution
Nelma, Nel, Emma
Historical Usage
Nelma gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. Its usage has remained relatively steady over the years.
Variants & Derivatives
Nel, Emma, Nelie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nelma is viewed as a unique and charming name, often associated with warmth and brightness. It is not overly common, which adds to its appeal.
Explore More Nelma Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nelma"
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 "Nelma"
"Nelma" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1456th of 9107 | 524 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1412th of 9204 | 547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4299th of 12526 | 158 |
Regional Popularity of "Nelma" 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 "Nelma" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
100.00% 1416th/1416 |
- |
48.73% 1153rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
- |
48.79% 1148th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nelma"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nelma" 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.