Velma is an English feminine given name of uncertain origin. It might have been created as a rhyming variant of the names Selma and Thelma.[1] It might also have been influenced by the Scandinavian name Vilma[2] or by Wilma, both short forms of the Dutch and German Wilhelmina and feminine versions of William.[3]

Velma
GenderFemale
Language(s)English
Origin
MeaningCreated name based on Selma and Thelma

Usage

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The name has been most common in North America. It was among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States between 1880 and 1973 and was at the height of its popularity between 1903 and 1917, when it was among the 100 most popular names for American girls. It reached peak popularity in 1912, when it was the 88th most popular name for newborn American girls.[4] It was at peak popularity in Canada between 1920 and 1933, when it was among the top 100 names for Canadian girls.[5] It is famously used as Scooby-Doo character's name, Velma Dinkley.

Women

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Fictional characters

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Notes

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  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 269. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  2. ^ "Velma". nordicnames.de. Nordic Names. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  3. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Velma". behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Most Popular Names". ssa.gov. United States Social Security Administration. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  5. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Popularity in Canada". behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 23 December 2023.