Samia vs Selma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Samia

Girl #2,641 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"high-minded, sublime"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic North African South Asian Muslim East African

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,641
Total SSA Count
66
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sam, Sami

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Samia →

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

Samia Rank #2,641
Selma Rank #2,770

Samia is more popular, ranked #2641 vs #2770 for Selma.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Samia ___

  • Samia Noor
  • Samia Layla
  • Samia Rose
  • Samia Marie
  • Samia Zara
  • Samia Aya

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 Samia

Nadia Amira Kareem Zaid Leila

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 Samia or Selma more popular?

Samia is more popular, ranked #2641 compared to Selma at #2770 in the United States.

What do Samia and Selma mean?

Samia means "high-minded, sublime" (Arabic origin). Selma means "divine protection, helmet of the gods" (Germanic/Norse origin).

Are Samia and Selma boy or girl names?

Samia is primarily a girl name. Selma is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Selma vs Samia Samia vs Carlota Samia vs Sonny Samia vs Kinlee Samia vs Daelyn
← Full profile: Samia ← Full profile: Selma Browse all baby names