Delma as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Delma

What is the meaning of the name Delma ?

The baby name Delma is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced DEL-mə,del-MAH.

Delma is English, Irish, Spanish in Origin.

Delma is a feminine given name with multiple etymological paths. In Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts it is often explained as a feminine counterpart to Delmar, from the phrase del mar, “of the sea.” In Romance and Italian usage it can also contract from Adelma, a name built on the Germanic elements adal “noble” and helm “helmet, protection,” yielding the sense “noble protector.” Some bearers treat Delma as a short form of Elma, itself from Germanic helm names, reinforcing the protective meaning.

Records show modest use in the United States from the late 19th century through the mid‑20th century, with continued but sparse presence today. The name also occurs in Iberia, Latin America, and the Philippines under Spanish/Portuguese influence. Variants and related forms include Adelma, Elma, and the masculine Delmar; diminutives and nicknames include Del, Della, and Delmi/Delmy. Meaning is typically interpreted as either “of the sea” or “noble protector.”