Zulma

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZOOL-muh /ˈzul.mə/Medium

Meaning: Zulma is used in Spanish- and French-speaking countries, generally treated as a variant of Zulema or Suleima, names connected to the Arabic root s-l-m, 'peace; safety' (the same root as Salma and Solomon). The name also had a life in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century literature. Routes uncertain in detail, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A Spanish literary name, usually tied to Zulema and an Arabic root meaning 'peace' (said 'ZOOL-muh'). Routes uncertain.

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Origin LowSpanish, Arabic

MeaningZulma is used in Spanish- and French-speaking countries, generally treated as a variant of Zulema or Suleima, names connected to the Arabic root s-l-m, 'peace; safety' (the same root as Salma and Solomon). The name also had a life in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century literature. Routes uncertain in detail, which we note.

U.S. rank (2023)#13446 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1974

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,649

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

Zulma is used across Spanish- and French-speaking countries and is generally treated as a variant of Zulema or Suleima, names traced to the Arabic root s-l-m, 'peace; safety' — the same root behind Salma, Salim and Solomon. The name also enjoyed a literary vogue in Europe, where writers used it for romantic heroines. Its exact route is uncertain, which we note (said 'ZOOL-muh').

In the U.S. it appears only very rarely and is newly emerging. Rare, literary, and Spanish-leaning.

Did you know? Zulma had a moment in European literature — it appears in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French and Spanish writing as an exotic-sounding heroine's name. Most sources tie it to Zulema, from an Arabic root meaning 'peace'; the routes are uncertain, which we note.

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Zulma — Variant of Zulema/Suleima; Arabic root s-l-m 'peace'; European literary use

Variations

ZulemaSulmaZulmira

Nicknames

ZuliZuzu

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zulma…

Zulema— the fuller name Zulma likely shortens

Salma— a like name from the same Arabic root

Zaida— a like Spanish-Arabic heritage pick

Zelma— a like vintage Z-name in sound

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By themeuncertain spanish literary arabic-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zulma mean?

Zulma is generally treated as a variant of Zulema, connected to the Arabic root meaning 'peace; safety'. The routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Zulma?

It's said ZOOL-muh /ˈzul.mə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zulma a boy or girl name?

Zulma is a girl's name.

How popular is Zulma?

Zulma is very rare and newly emerging in the U.S.