Delmer
Primarily a boy's name of Spanish origin with 7,649 recorded births. Also given to 16 girls.
Meaning & Origin
shepherd
Delmer is a boy's and girl's baby name of Spanish origin, an American variant of Delmar, from the Spanish del mar, meaning 'of the sea.' It was adopted as a masculine given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in inland American communities who romanticized the ocean.
Delmer was most popular in the American South and Midwest between the 1890s and 1940s. It has the no-frills, working-class character of old rural American names — solid, unpretentious, and genuinely American.
EtymologyShow more
Delmer first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1883. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Spanish classification suggests a path from spanish linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Delmer has 126+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1883.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 47 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 72 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 71 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 108 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 221 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 397 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 727 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,159 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,738 | — |
| 1920s | 1,906 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 986 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 130 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 37 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 23 | — |
The Story of Delmer
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Delmer is a name steeped in history. Boys named Delmer are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Delmer?
Delmer has 7,649 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1883, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,906 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Delmer by the numbers
- Would fill 159 school buses
- Meeting one Delmer per day would take 21 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(126 years, 1883–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | #7852 |
| 2021 | 10 | #7733 |
| 2020 | 7 | #9811 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12735 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12651 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11003 |
| 2014 | 8 | #8970 |
| 2012 | 13 | #6404 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12739 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12717 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9186 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9191 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8339 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6558 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8311 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11297 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9657 |
| 2001 | 8 | #7711 |
| 2000 | 8 | #7607 |
| 1999 | 8 | #7317 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Delmer as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Delmer has also been given to 16 girls in the U.S. since 1917.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delmer a boy's or girl's name?
When was Delmer most popular?
How popular is the name Delmer?
Can Delmer be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1883–2023