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Richard vs Selma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Richard

Boy #232 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong ruler, powerful leader"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#232
Total SSA Count
1,539
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Richard' can be twisted to 'bitch'"}

Selma

Girl #2,770 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"divine protection, helmet of the gods"

Origin: Germanic/Norse

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian German Arabic American Turkish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,770
Total SSA Count
61
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Richard Rank #232
Selma Rank #2,770

Richard is more popular, ranked #232 vs #2770 for Selma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richard or Selma more popular?

Richard is more popular, ranked #232 compared to Selma at #2770 in the United States.

What do Richard and Selma mean?

Richard means "strong ruler, powerful leader" (Germanic origin). Selma means "divine protection, helmet of the gods" (Germanic/Norse origin).

Are Richard and Selma boy or girl names?

Richard is primarily a boy name. Selma is primarily a girl name.

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