Welma

♀ Girl

Pronounced WEL-muh /ˈwɛl.mə/Low

Meaning: Welma is a spelling that sits between Wilma and Velma, both short forms of Wilhelmina, the feminine of Wilhelm - Germanic wil 'will, desire' plus helm 'helmet, protection.' The e-spelling reflects early-century American ears rather than a separate root.Low

In 30 seconds: Welma is a girl's name, a spelling between Wilma and Velma, short for Wilhelmina and meaning 'resolute protection.' It appears in early United States records around the nineteen-twenties (said WEL-muh).

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Origin LowGermanic

MeaningWelma is a spelling that sits between Wilma and Velma, both short forms of Wilhelmina, the feminine of Wilhelm - Germanic wil 'will, desire' plus helm 'helmet, protection.' The e-spelling reflects early-century American ears rather than a separate root.

U.S. rank (1945)#5221 ↘ Falling

1945 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1929

Total births (all-time)≈ 189

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

Welma is an early-twentieth-century spelling of Wilma or Velma, clipped forms of Wilhelmina from the Germanic wil, 'will,' and helm, 'protection.' American families of the period spelled such short forms by sound, giving rise to this e-vowel variant.

It was always scarce, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its high point around 1929 before fading with the whole Wilhelmina family. A girl named Welma then would be a great-grandmother today.

Did you know? Wilma and its cousins all shorten the mouthful Wilhelmina, a name once carried by a Dutch queen, so tiny Welma quietly inherits royal Germanic weight.

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Welma — Spelling between Wilma/Velma; short for Wilhelmina; Germanic wil+helm; parent-traced.

Variations

WilmaVelmaWilhelminaVilma

Nicknames

WelWelly

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If you like Welma…

Wilma— the standard short form Welma echoes

Velma— the v-spelling twin of the same short form

Wilhelmina— the full parent name

Vilma— a continental spelling of the same root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Welma mean?

As a form of Wilma or Velma, it shortens Wilhelmina and means 'will-helmet' or 'resolute protection,' from Germanic roots.

How do you pronounce Welma?

It is said WEL-muh /ˈwɛl.mə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Welma a boy or girl name?

Welma is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Welma?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak in the nineteen-twenties.