Irma is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old Norse name Yrma. This name has been associated with various figures throughout history, most notably Irma la Douce, a French singer and entertainer who gained international fame in the mid-20th century.
The meaning of the name Irma is believed to be "universal," which could refer to its widespread use across different cultures and languages. It has been translated into several forms around the world, including Irmgard in German-speaking countries and Herminia in Spanish-speaking ones. The name has also gained popularity in other parts of Europe, such as Scandinavia and the Netherlands.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Irma. Apart from Irma la Douce, one of the most well-known figures is Irma Henderson, a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1986. Additionally, Irma Thomas is an American singer-songwriter known for her hit song "Time Is on My Side."
In popular culture, the name Irma has been used in various works of fiction. It appears prominently in Tennessee Williams' play "The Night of the Iguana," where Irma is a character who represents temptation and sensuality. The name also features in the film "Casablanca," although it is not one of the main characters.
Overall, Irma is an interesting and historic feminine given name with roots in Old Norse culture and widespread use across different languages and cultures throughout history.
The name Irma experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time. It started with low numbers of births per year, ranging from 30 to 90 between 1880 and 1888. However, it began gaining traction in the late 1890s, peaking at 1015 births in 1914. The name maintained considerable popularity throughout the early to mid-20th century, with over 700 births per year consistently from 1946 to 1967. Since then, its usage has declined significantly, with fewer than 100 births per year occurring since 1973. The total number of births with the name Irma from 1880 to 2023 is 73,649.