Velma
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