Selma vs Theodore

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

Selma Rank #2,770
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #2770 for Selma.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Selma ___

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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Selma

Alma Vera Helga Marta Nora

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Selma or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Selma at #2770 in the United States.

What do Selma and Theodore mean?

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

Are Selma and Theodore boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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