Wilma is a name of German origin, derived from the Germanic words "wil" meaning will or desire, and "helm" meaning helmet. Thus, the name Wilma means "resolute protection." It is often associated with strength, courage, and determination.
The name Wilma has been used throughout history, but it gained significant popularity in the 19th century when it became a popular choice among German parents. In the United States, Wilma began to appear more frequently in the early 20th century, especially among families of German descent.
Wilma was also popularized by some notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous is Wilma Rudolph, an American track and field athlete who won three gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics. She is considered one of the greatest women athletes of all time, and her success has undoubtedly contributed to the popularity of the name Wilma.
Despite its Germanic origins, Wilma has been used across different cultures and countries. Today, it is recognized as a unisex name but is more commonly used for females. While once considered an old-fashioned or outdated name, Wilma has seen a resurgence in recent years, with parents drawn to its strong and meaningful origin.
In popular culture, the name Wilma has been associated with various characters, such as Wilma Flintstone from the animated television series "The Flintstones." However, it is essential not to confuse the meaning of the name with any specific traits or characteristics attributed to these fictional characters. Instead, Wilma stands independently as a powerful and determined name with a rich history.
The name Wilma saw a significant rise in popularity from the late 19th century to around World War I, peaking with 2773 births in 1915 and 2962 births in 1916. However, its usage began to decline thereafter, reaching its lowest point recently in 2023 with only 33 births. Over the entire period from 1880 to 2023, there were a total of 140013 births named Wilma.