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Elma

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Elma: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1975.

Elma has two likely origins: it may be a feminine form of the Germanic name Elmo, from ‘helm’ meaning ‘helmet’ or ‘protection’, or it could derive from the Greek word for ‘elm tree’. In Scotland, Elma first appeared in birth records in the late 19th century and has seen occasional use ever since, often as a diminutive of Wilhelmina or Elmira. While no prominent historical or famous bearers spring to mind, the name shares its Germanic root with the more familiar Elmer. A notable variant is Elma, which remains consistent across spellings; the name also enjoys popularity in Turkey, where it means ‘apple’.