Vilma

♀ Girl

Pronounced VIL-mah /ˈvɪl.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: A Scandinavian/Slavic short form of Wilhelmina (Vilhelmina) — from Germanic, 'resolute protection; will-helmet' (wil, 'will', plus helm, 'helmet, protection')Medium

In 30 seconds: Resolute protection: Vilma is the Scandinavian Wilhelmina — 'resolute protection'. Crisp, soft, and warm (said 'VIL-mah').

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Origin MediumGerman

MeaningA Scandinavian/Slavic short form of Wilhelmina (Vilhelmina) — from Germanic, 'resolute protection; will-helmet' (wil, 'will', plus helm, 'helmet, protection')

U.S. rank (2025)#7861 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births14 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1927

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,989

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

Vilma is a Scandinavian, Finnish, Hungarian, and Slavic short form of Wilhelmina (Vilhelmina) — the feminine of William, from Germanic wil, 'will, desire', plus helm, 'helmet, protection' — 'resolute protection'. A crisp, soft name across Northern and Eastern Europe (also Wilma Flintstone; said 'VIL-mah').

In the U.S. it appears in European families. Rare, resolute-protection at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Wilhelmina means 'resolute protection; the will-helmet' (Germanic wil, 'will', plus helm, 'helmet, protection') — Vilma is its crisp Scandinavian and Slavic short form (said 'VIL-mah').

Overall data confidence 72%

Behind the Name — Vilma — root etymology

Variations

WilmaVilhelminaWilhelmina

Nicknames

Vil

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Vilma…

Wilma— the English form

Wilhelmina— the fuller name

Irma— shares the -ma ending

Elma— a fellow German choice

Enma— shares the -ma ending

Explore names like Vilma

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vilma mean?

Vilma is the Scandinavian/Slavic Wilhelmina — Germanic 'resolute protection; the will-helmet'.

How do you pronounce Vilma?

It's said VIL-mah /ˈvɪl.mɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Vilma a boy or girl name?

Vilma is a girl's name.

How popular is Vilma?

Vilma is a rare name in the U.S.