Delma is a unique and beautiful name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "O'Delma," which is believed to have originated in County Clare. The meaning of Delma is not definitively known, but it is thought to be related to the Irish word "delbh" which means "half." This suggests that O'Delma may have originally referred to a person who was born out of wedlock or was illegitimate.
The history of the name Delma is not well documented, but it is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Vikings. The Vikings had a significant influence on Irish culture and language during their invasions in the 9th and 10th centuries. It is possible that the name Delma was introduced by Viking settlers who were drawn to the area around County Clare.
Today, Delma is still a relatively rare name, but it has gained some popularity as a unique choice for girls. Its Irish origins and mysterious meaning add to its allure. While there are no well-known figures associated with the name Delma, it is a name that carries a sense of history and intrigue. Whether you're drawn to its unique sound or its fascinating origin story, choosing the name Delma is sure to make your child stand out in a crowd.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Delma:
From 1884 to 2023, there have been a total of 8,454 babies named Delma born in the United States. The name's popularity has varied greatly over the years.
The earliest recorded birth year for the name Delma is 1884, with 8 births that year. The following two years also saw similar numbers, with 5 births each in 1885 and 1886. However, starting from 1889, we see a steady increase in the number of babies named Delma.
In 1894 and 1895, there were 16 births each year, marking the first time the name reached double digits since 1889. This trend continued until 1907, with the highest number of births reaching 72 in that year.
The early 1900s saw a significant increase in popularity for the name Delma. Between 1905 and 1913, there were more than 50 births each year, peaking at 152 births in 1915. This period also includes the highest recorded number of births for the name Delma, with 160 births in 1918.
However, after reaching its peak popularity around World War I, the name's usage began to decline sharply. By 1930, there were only 141 births, and this downward trend continued throughout the mid-20th century.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the number of babies named Delma dropped below 50 each year. This continued until the late 1970s when there were only 20 births in 1979.
Since then, the name Delma has become quite rare. From the 1980s to present day (2023), the number of babies named Delma remains below double digits each year, with some years seeing as few as 5 births.
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of a name can change over time, and these statistics for Delma certainly reflect this trend. Despite its decline in recent decades, it's clear that there was once a period when Delma was quite popular as a baby girl name in the United States.