Selma is a unique and charming name of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "salam," which means "peace." The name has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Selma Lagerlöf, a Swedish author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909.
The name Selma was also prominent during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Selma, Alabama became a significant location due to the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, which were crucial events in the fight for African American voting rights. These historic events further popularized the name and added a layer of cultural significance.
In literature and arts, Selma has been used as a character name in various works, such as the novel "Selma" by J.D. Salinger and the film "Selma" directed by Ava DuVernay, which chronicles the Selma to Montgomery marches and is named after the city itself.
The name Selma has also been favored by royal families throughout history. Queen consort of Sweden, Victoria of Baden, was known as Princess Selma prior to her marriage.
Overall, Selma is a powerful and captivating name with deep roots in history and culture. Its meaning of "peace" adds a touch of serenity and grace to the name, making it an attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their child.
The given statistics illustrate the popularity of the name Selma in the United States from 1880 to 2023, with a total of 26,759 births registered during this period.
From 1880 to 1914, the number of babies named Selma fluctuated between 36 and 741 births per year. The name reached its peak popularity in 1915 with 741 births, which was a significant increase compared to previous years. This trend continued until 1924 when the name started to decline in popularity, dropping from 735 births in 1924 to 264 births in 1934.
The period between 1935 and 1980 saw a further decrease in the popularity of the name Selma, with fewer than 50 births per year registered on average. The lowest point was reached in 1974 with only 17 births recorded.
Since 1980, there has been some variation in the number of babies named Selma each year. However, overall, the name has remained relatively uncommon compared to its peak popularity a century ago. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of births with the name Selma ranged from 63 to 109 per year.
In recent years, the name Selma has shown signs of renewed interest, with 74 births recorded in 2023, suggesting that it may be starting to regain some popularity among parents. However, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue in future years.