Selma vs Tova

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 →

Tova

Girl #2,661 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"good, goodness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Scandinavian Israeli

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,661
Total SSA Count
65
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tova →

Popularity Comparison

Selma Rank #2,770
Tova Rank #2,661

Tova is more popular, ranked #2661 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

Tova ___

  • Tova Ruth
  • Tova Miriam
  • Tova Leah
  • Tova Sarah
  • Tova Grace
  • Tova Rose

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Selma

Alma Vera Helga Marta Nora

If you choose Tova

Shira Noa Ora Ilan Yael

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 Tova more popular?

Tova is more popular, ranked #2661 compared to Selma at #2770 in the United States.

What do Selma and Tova mean?

Selma means "divine protection, helmet of the gods" (Germanic/Norse origin). Tova means "good, goodness" (Hebrew origin).

Are Selma and Tova boy or girl names?

Selma is primarily a girl name. Tova is primarily a girl name.

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