Meaning & Origin
A female given name originating as a coinage.
Velma is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, an American form of Wilma or Wilhelmina, from the Old High German Willahelm meaning 'resolute protector.' It was coined in the late 19th century as a softer American variant.
Velma is perhaps most famously associated with Velma Dinkley from Scooby-Doo — the bespectacled, intellectually curious member of Mystery Inc. who has become something of a feminist icon for celebrating brains over glamour. That association has given the name a surprisingly affectionate modern following among parents who grew up with the show. A genuinely vintage name with unexpected contemporary energy.