Selmer Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Selmer has its origins in Old Norse, meaning 'famous willow.' It has evolved from its historical forms to be used in modern contexts, often associated with strength and nature. There is no biblical relevance to this name, but it has gained popularity in Scandinavian cultures throughout history.
The name Selmer is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy 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, Selmer has been stalled for male in MidWest. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest. Across generations, 'Selmer' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1312th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2573rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5353rd out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7989th out of 9107 names. Discover how the name 'Selmer' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Selmer"
Pronunciation
/ˈsɛlmər/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Selmer is derived from the Old Norse elements 'selja,' meaning 'willow,' and 'mer,' meaning 'famous' or 'renowned.'
Meaning
famous willow
Language Evolution
Selmer (modern form), Selmarr (Old Norse)
Historical Usage
The name Selmer gained popularity in Scandinavia and has been used in various cultures, particularly in Norway and Denmark, since the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Selm, Selma
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Selmer is seen as a unique and somewhat vintage name, often associated with strength and a connection to nature.
Famous People
Selmer S. Bringsjord, a notable American philosopher and computer scientist., Selmer Nilsen, a recognized Norwegian politician.
Explore More Selmer Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Selmer"
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 "Selmer"
"Selmer" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1312th of 7545 | 489 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2573rd of 6773 | 161 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5353rd of 7552 | 26 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Selmer" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
38.28% 542nd/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
64.23% 993rd/1546 |
- | - | - |
| 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 "Selmer" by Generation for Female 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Selmer"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Selmer" 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.