How Many People Are Named Velma?
Complete statistics for the name Velma: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
A classic name with a very rare feel, Velma has been given to just over 87,000 people in the U.S., and only 1 in 16,347 Americans carries this name. Most Velmas are over 60, making it a true old-school name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 8 in numerology traditionally represents ambition, power, and material achievement. People with a life-path number of 8 are seen as natural leaders who pursue success with discipline and confidence.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 97All 87,165 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1921Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Velma Through the Generations
Velma is a classic name with a unique twist, having been given to just over 87,000 people in the U.S. The peak year for Velma was 1921, when 2,613 babies were named Velma. Today, only 20,187 people carry this name, which means a large 96% are over 60, making it a truly old-school name. This gap between all-time births and living people is quite significant, highlighting the enduring legacy of this name across generations. The trend is rising, which is somewhat surprising given the name's rarity and the fact that most people named Velma are now well into their golden years.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Velma
Velma is an English feminine given name of uncertain origin. It might have been created as a rhyming variant of the names Selma and Thelma. It might also have been influenced by the Scandinavian name Vilma or by Wilma, both short forms of the Dutch and German Wilhelmina and feminine versions of William.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Velma's Germanic roots
📄 About the Name Velma
How Many People Have the Name Velma?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 20,187 people in the United States currently share the name Velma. That works out to roughly 1 in every 16,347 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Velma a Common or Rare Name?
Velma is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Velma Mean?
Velma means "determined protector, feminine form" and comes from Germanic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Velma in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Velma Most Popular?
The name Velma reached peak popularity in 1921, with 2,613 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Velma?
Approximately 20,187 people named Velma live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 87,165. That works out to roughly 1 in 16,347 Americans.
Is Velma a rare name?
Velma is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 16,347 Americans has this name.
What does the name Velma mean?
Velma means "determined protector, feminine form" and comes from Germanic origins.
Is Velma more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Velma are male and 100% are female.
When was Velma most popular?
Velma peaked in 1921 with 2,613 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.