Belma

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Belma

Pronounced BEL-mah /ˈbɛl.mə/Medium

Meaning: Belma has no confirmed etymology. It is a genuinely used given name in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, but standard name references list its meaning as unknown rather than tracing it to a specific root word.Low

In 30 seconds: Belma is a Bosnian and Turkish name whose meaning is genuinely undocumented. It appeared quietly in the United States, peaking early around 1918 (said BEL-mah).

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Origin LowBosnian, Turkish

MeaningBelma has no confirmed etymology. It is a genuinely used given name in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, but standard name references list its meaning as unknown rather than tracing it to a specific root word.

U.S. rank (2021)#15623 ↗ Rising

2021 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 640

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Belma is used as a first name in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, likely carried to the United States by families from those regions or nearby Southern European communities. No documented root has been established, and that uncertainty is stated honestly rather than papered over.

Belma has appeared only lightly in United States records for over a century, given to about eighteen girls a year at its early peak around 1918. It reads today as a rare heritage name from Southeastern Europe.

Did you know? Belma is an established given name in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but even specialist name references list its meaning as simply unknown rather than guessing at a root.

Overall data confidence 40%

Behind the Name - Belma — Meaning listed as unknown; used in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Variations

BelminaBelna

Nicknames

BelBella

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Belma…

Selma— a like Bosnian/Turkish two-syllable name

Amela— another Bosnian girl's name with a similar sound

Esma— shares the -ma ending

Elma— shares the -ma ending

Bora— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Belma

By themeuncertain heritage uncommon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Belma mean?

Its meaning is genuinely undocumented; standard references list it as unknown despite real use in Bosnia and Turkey.

How do you pronounce Belma?

It is said BEL-mah /ˈbɛl.mə/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Belma a boy or girl name?

Belma is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Belma?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to under twenty girls a year even at its early peak around 1918.