Anselm is a Germanic masculine given name derived from the Old High German elements 'ans' meaning 'god' and 'helma' meaning 'helmet'. It was popularized by the Italian philosopher, theologian, and Benedictine monk Saint Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033-1109), who is renowned for his ontological argument for the existence of God. The name Anselm has been used sporadically throughout history but remains relatively uncommon today. It peaked in popularity during the late Middle Ages, particularly among the nobility and clergy. In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in its use, perhaps due to its unique sound and historical significance. Variants of the name include Anselmus (Latin), Ancelmo (Italian), Anshelm (German), and Ansell (English). The name's day is celebrated on April 21st, in honor of Saint Anselm of Canterbury.
The name Anselm has seen peaks and valleys over the years, with some notable highs and lows. The decade starting from 2015 onwards has been particularly popular for the name, with a significant spike in births occurring in 2016 (12 births) and again in 2020 (10 births). However, it's interesting to note that there were no recorded births with the name Anselm between 1944 and 1978. Overall, there have been a total of 288 babies named Anselm since 1912.