Zelma
Fact sheet
- Name
- Zelma
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Zelma is a female first name that is regarded as a short form of Anzelma, which in turn is a feminine derivation of the Old German name Anselm. Translated into German, the name means 'the protected by God'.
What does the name Zelma mean?
Zelma, a girl's name, is a short form of Anzelma, a feminine counterpart of the Old German Anselm. The German translation of the name means 'the protected by God'. The name has its roots in the Old Germanic element ans, which means 'the Ase', 'the god', or 'the deity', as well as in Old High German helm, which means 'the helmet', 'the covering', 'the protection', or 'the shield'. Additionally, Zelma is also considered a variant of Salima, which is regarded as the feminine form of Salim. This name means 'the unscathed' or 'the peaceful' and originates from Arabic, derived from the word salima (سَلِمَ), meaning 'safe', 'healthy', 'intact', or 'unscathed', or from salmā (سلمى), which means 'safe', 'peaceful', 'healthy', or 'harmonious'. Other variants include Salimah, Salama, Selima, Selime, and Salma.
Where does the name Zelma come from?
The origin of Zelma lies in both Old High German and Arabic and means 'the protected by God'. In Old High German, ans stands for 'the Ase', 'the god', or 'the deity', while helm stands for 'the helmet', 'the covering', 'the protection', or 'the shield'. From an Arabic perspective, the name derives from Salma: salima (سَلِمَ) means 'safe', 'healthy', 'intact', or 'unscathed', and salmā (سلمى) means 'safe', 'peaceful', or 'healthy'. The languages in which the name appears are English and Hungarian.
How do you pronounce Zelma?
The sound quality of Zelma is two syllables and is characterized by a clear, compact pronunciation. The name is typically pronounced as 'Zel-ma' [ˈzɛlma], with the pronunciation beginning with an open e sound that immediately conveys presence and stability. The consonant cluster '-lm-' slightly enhances the sound. The open a ending brings a gentle resolution to the sound. Thus, Zelma appears both concise and soft – clear, structured, and with a calm, harmonious aura.
When is the name day of Zelma?
The name day of Zelma is celebrated on April 21.
Popularity
In Germany, Zelma is a rare first name. In 2019, it ranked 4,068th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 2018, reaching 2,749th. Over the last ten years, Zelma has been used as a first name about 20 times, placing it 6,729th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 7,235th.
Nicknames & pet names
Elma
Famous people
- Zelma Carolina Esolinda Hedin (Swedish actress)
- Zelma Oneal (American actress)
- Zelma Watson George (opera singer from the USA)
Frequently asked questions about the name Zelma
What is the origin of the name Zelma?
The name Zelma has its roots in both Old High German and Arabic. In Old High German, it means 'the protected by God', while in Arabic it is considered a variant of Salma, which means 'safe' or 'peaceful'.
What does the name Zelma mean?
Zelma means 'the protected by God'. The meaning derives from the Old Germanic elements 'ans' for 'god' and 'helm' for 'protection'. Additionally, it is associated with the Arabic terms for 'safe' and 'unscathed'.
How popular is the name Zelma?
The name Zelma is rather rare nowadays, but it has found some distribution in various cultures and countries, such as Hungary and the English-speaking world. Its rarity makes it unique and special.