Girl Name
Selma
Selma means “Good vision”. It is used as a girl's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Selma is a girl baby name, meaning "Good vision". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Selma often also consider Salma.
Selma meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Good vision
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Selma as S·E·L·M·A, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Selma is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Selma variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Selmaa, Selmae, Selmay, Selm.
- Nicknames: Sel and S.
- Middle names: Pair Selma with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Selma middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Salma, Sulema, Selena, Selina, Selene — full picks on the sibling names for Selma guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Selma? Browse our names like Selma guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Selma
What does the name Selma mean?
Selma means "Good vision". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Selma is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Selma?
The exact origin of Selma is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Selma?
Selma has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Selma a boy's or girl's name?
Selma is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Selma in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Selma sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Selma?
Names that share Selma's sound and style include Salma, Sulema, Selena, Selina, Selene.
What middle names pair well with Selma?
Good middle-name fits for Selma pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Selma is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Selma is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Selma?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Selma share its rhythm without rhyming — Salma, Sulema, Selena all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.