N
NamyLab

Selma

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Peace"

Used in European and Arabic contexts with different derivations; commonly associated with peace, and reinforced by literary and historical usage.

Themes:peaceliteraryinternationalfeminine
VintageRetroUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Selma

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2788Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#2788

Selma was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-352

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Selma Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Selma.

8 ideas
selm
Nickname
sely
Nickname
se
Nickname
elma
Nickname
selmay
Nickname
selmao
Nickname
selmaie
Nickname
lmay
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Selma

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Selma, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Selma mean?
Selma means "Peace". Used in European and Arabic contexts with different derivations; commonly associated with peace, and reinforced by liter
What is the origin of Selma?
Selma is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Selma?
According to the latest SSA data, Selma is currently ranked #2788 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Selma a girl name?
Selma is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Selma?
Popular nicknames for Selma include selm, sely, se, elma, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Selma?
There are many names similar to Selma in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, Arabic
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#2788
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Selma

Selma has Germanic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Germanic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Selma appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Peace and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Vintage Baby Names and Arabic Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Selma pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Selma beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.