What does Velma mean and where does it come from?
Velma gained popularity in the early 20th century and is often associated with the character Velma Dinkley from the 'Scooby-Doo' franchise. While the name has fallen out of general use, it remains a staple in pop culture. Its origins may be tied to the word 'velvet', implying a connection with softn
What middle names flow best with Velma?
Velma works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
How popular is Velma right now?
Holding steady — currently #1997 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Velma
Velma has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. Its peak popularity was #88 in 1912. A total of 87,104 babies have received this name. Once ranked #434 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1997 in 2023. Velma is used for both genders: 99% female and 1% male.
Names that peaked alongside Velma in 1912:
Velma by decade
Velma peaked in the 1910s. See all 1910s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 358 | |
| 1890s | 2,099 | |
| 1900s | 6,589 | |
| 1910s | 18,743 | |
| 1920s ★ | 23,020 | |
| 1930s | 14,359 | |
| 1940s | 9,309 | |
| 1950s | 6,876 | |
| 1960s | 3,695 | |
| 1970s | 1,134 | |
| 1980s | 511 | |
| 1990s | 192 | |
| 2000s | 97 | |
| 2010s | 107 | |
| 2020s | 15 |
What are good nicknames for Velma?
What names sound and feel like Velma?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Velma also consider these