Anselma as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Anselma

What is the meaning of the name Anselma ?

The baby name Anselma is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced ENGLISH: /ˈæn.sɛl.mə/ (AN-sel-ma); SPANISH/ITALIAN: /anˈsel.ma/ (an-SEL-ma).

Anselma is German in Origin.

Anselma is the feminine form of Anselm, from Old High German ans “god, deity” (Proto-Germanic *ansuz, source of the Aesir) + helm “helmet, protection,” yielding the sense “divine protection” or “helmet of the gods.” The name was Latinized in medieval records (Anselma/Anselmae) and entered Romance languages via ecclesiastical Latin; it appears in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and, more rarely, German contexts.

While never as common as the male saint’s name Anselm/Anselmo (notably St Anselm of Canterbury inspired usage), the feminine occurs in convent rolls and civic registers from the late Middle Ages through the Baroque. Established variants include Anzelma (Polish) and Anselmina (Italian/Portuguese diminutive); short forms Selma and Elma are traditional pet names in several languages. Related masculine forms are Anselm (German), Anselmo (Italian/Spanish/Portuguese), and Anselme (French). Today Anselma remains rare but retains a vintage, pan-European character and occasional use in Latin Europe and former Iberian colonies.