Kathlyn vs Selma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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
Nicknames
Sel, Elma

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Selma →

Popularity Comparison

Kathlyn Rank #2,719
Selma Rank #2,770

Kathlyn is more popular, ranked #2719 vs #2770 for Selma.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kathlyn ___

  • Kathlyn Marie
  • Kathlyn Grace
  • Kathlyn Anne
  • Kathlyn Elizabeth
  • Kathlyn Rose
  • Kathlyn Lynn

Selma ___

  • Selma Jane
  • Selma Rose
  • Selma Grace
  • Selma May
  • Selma Louise
  • Selma Ann

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kathlyn

Patrick Brigid Colm Siobhan Brendan

If you choose Selma

Alma Vera Helga Marta Nora

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kathlyn or Selma more popular?

Kathlyn is more popular, ranked #2719 compared to Selma at #2770 in the United States.

What do Kathlyn and Selma mean?

Kathlyn means "pure" (Greek origin). Selma means "divine protection, helmet of the gods" (Germanic/Norse origin).

Are Kathlyn and Selma boy or girl names?

Kathlyn is primarily a girl name. Selma is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Kathlyn ← Full profile: Selma Browse all baby names