Velma Dowd

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Velma Dowd — English
102K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Velma Dowd is a name that combines English origins. The first name Velma is a feminine given name of English origin. Velma is an English feminine given name of uncertain origin. It might have been created as a rhyming variant of the names Selma and Thelma. It might also have been influenced by the Scandinavian name Vilma or by Wilma, both short forms of the Dutch and German Wilhelmina and feminine versions of William. The name has been most common in North America. It was among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States between 1880 and 1973 and was at the height of its popularity between 1903 and 1917, when it was among the 100 most popular names for American girls. The surname Dowd: Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr. Velma is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 102K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Velma reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Velma

English

Velma is an English feminine given name of uncertain origin. It might have been created as a rhyming variant of the names Selma and Thelma. It might also have been influenced by the Scandinavian name Vilma or by Wilma, both short forms of the Dutch and German Wilhelmina and feminine versions of William. The name has been most common in North America. It was among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States between 1880 and 1973 and was at the height of its popularity between 1903 and 1917, when it was among the 100 most popular names for American girls.

Surname: Dowd

Irish

Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Velma is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Velma by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Velma Dowd

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Velma Dowd:

9
Expression Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

6
Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Velma?
The first name Velma originates from English. Velma is an English feminine given name of uncertain origin. It might have been created as a rhyming variant of the names Selma and Thelma. It might also have been influenced by the Scandinavian name Vilma or by Wilma, both short forms of the Dutch and German Wilhelmina and feminine versions of William. The name has been most common in North America. It was among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States between 1880 and 1973 and was at the height of its popularity between 1903 and 1917, when it was among the 100 most popular names for American girls.
When was Velma most popular?
The name Velma reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Dowd?
The surname Dowd originates from Irish. Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr.
What are the origins of the name Velma Dowd?
The name Velma Dowd combines two different traditions: the first name Velma has English roots, while the surname Dowd originates from Irish.
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