Velma is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "pledge" or "faithful." It is derived from the Hebrew word "velama," which translates to "loyalty" or "faithfulness." Velma has been used as a given name for both boys and girls throughout history, although it is more commonly associated with females today.
The earliest known use of Velma as a given name dates back to the late 19th century. It is believed that the name gained popularity in English-speaking countries due to its association with the biblical character of Velma, who was a devoted servant of God in the Old Testament.
In recent times, Velma has been popularized by various forms of media and pop culture. One notable example is Velma Dinkley from the animated television series "Scooby-Doo," which first aired in 1969. However, it's important to note that this character's name is more of a coincidence than an intentional nod to the name's biblical origins.
Despite its biblical roots and recent pop culture associations, Velma remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something different from traditional names. Its meaning of faithfulness or loyalty can serve as a meaningful symbol for those who choose this name for their child.
The name Velma has a long and varied history of usage in the United States, with a total of 86,718 births recorded over the years. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, the name saw a significant increase in popularity, with the number of births peaking at 2,439 in 1918.
During this period, Velma was among the top 1000 names for girls in the United States. However, its popularity declined significantly in the mid-20th century and continued to decrease until it fell out of the top 1000 names in the late 1960s.
In recent years, Velma has seen a slight resurgence, with around 25 births recorded in 2022. While it remains relatively uncommon, the name continues to be used occasionally in the United States.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the historical trends and fluctuations in popularity of the name Velma over time in the United States.