Chalmers is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of Scottish origin, derived from the place name 'Caledorma', which translates to 'round hill' or 'peaceful place'. It was originally a surname, but has since become used as a first name in some parts of Scotland and beyond. The name Chalmers is often associated with notable figures such as Alexander Chalmers, a Scottish publisher and biographer, and Thomas Chalmers, a prominent Scottish theologian and church leader.
The name Chalmers experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable surge during World War I and thereafter. From 1914 to 1923, there were consistently high numbers of births with the name Chalmers, peaking at 36 in 1922. However, from the mid-1920s onwards, the popularity of the name declined sharply, with fewer than 25 births per year until the late 1970s. Since then, the name has remained relatively uncommon, with only a handful of births recorded each year up to 2006. Overall, there were a total of 1081 births with the name Chalmers over this period.