Selma
Peaked at #163 nationally in 1891, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Selma has been recorded 99% of the time for girls and 1% of the time for boys.
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Selma — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#163
in 1891
Current rank
#2788
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Selma reached its peak popularity for girls in 1891, ranking #163 nationally with 206 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #1865 (2014) to #2788 (2024) — a 33% drop.
As of 2024, Selma ranks #2788 nationally for girls, with 61 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #2,788 | 61 |
| 2023 | #2,436 | 74 |
| 2022 | #2,747 | 63 |
| 2021 | #2,745 | 63 |
| 2020 | #2,213 | 82 |
| 2019 | #2,151 | 87 |
| 2018 | #2,325 | 79 |
| 2017 | #2,178 | 88 |
Selma — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#1421
in 1909
Last ranked
#4571
in 1961
Years tracked
41
1908–1961
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1908, Selma reached its peak popularity for boys in 1909, ranking #1421 nationally with 6 babies given the name that year.
Selma hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1961, when it stood at #4571.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | #4,571 | 5 |
| 1958 | #4,420 | 5 |
| 1954 | #3,138 | 8 |
| 1952 | #4,188 | 5 |
| 1951 | #4,175 | 5 |
| 1948 | #3,613 | 6 |
| 1946 | #3,948 | 5 |
| 1945 | #2,553 | 9 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Selma most popular?
Selma was most popular in 1891, when it ranked #163 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Selma becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Selma?
At least 27,141 babies have been recorded with the name Selma in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Selma? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.