Elma
Meaning of Elma
Elma is a female given name, pronounced EL-muh (ˈɛlmə), that traces back to the Old High German helm (“helmet, protection”) and later emerged as a shortened form of names like Amelia and Wilhelmina. It evokes the elm tree’s steadfast image in European lore and finds renewed favor among Latin American parents for its clear, two-syllable pattern. In the United States, Elma has consistently welcomed about 20 to 35 newborns annually over the past decade, securing the 920th spot in 2024. Its blend of historical depth, botanical resonance and cross-cultural versatility drives its steady, if modest, modern revival.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as EL-muh (/ˈɛlmə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Elma
| Elma Amy Yerburgh was a British brewery owner and philanthropist known for her generosity to workers and the people of Blackburn. |
| Elma Lewis was an American arts educator who founded influential arts institutions and earned a MacArthur Fellowship. |
| Elma Teresa Ender is an American attorney who became the youngest woman and first Hispanic woman to serve as a state district court judge in Texas. |
| Elma Francois was a political activist and national heroine of Trinidad and Tobago who championed workers' rights and opposed war and colonialism. |
| Elma Ström - Elma Charlotta Strom was a Swedish opera singer. |
| Elma Jane Dienda is a Namibian politician, teacher and former member of the National Assembly. |
| Elma Miller is a Canadian musician, composer, writer and educator. |
| Elma Mitchell was a Scottish-born poet and translator whose acclaimed poetry collections appeared in the 1970s and 1980s. |
| Elma Campbell - Wilhelmina Allison Campbell was a Scottish nationalist activist. |
| Elma Tryphosa Dangerfield was a British journalist, writer, campaigner and Liberal Party politician. |
| Elma Davis was a South African lawn bowler who competed internationally. |
| Elma Ann Bellini was an American judge who served on the New York Supreme Court. |
| Elma Karlowa was a Yugoslav actress known for her work in film and television. |
| Elma Halilcevic is a Danish handball player of Bosnian descent who plays for Odense Handbold and Denmark's national team. |
| Elma Parsamyan - Elma Sureni Parsamian is an Armenian astrophysicist and astronomer who serves as a principal research associate at Byurakan Observatory. |
