"of the sea"
Delmar
Pronunciation: [ d-EHLM-er ]
Does Delmar flow with your last name?
A vintage American name meaning of the sea
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Delmar
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Delmar
Delmar combines the Spanish and French element del (of the) with mar (sea), literally meaning of the sea. It is also found as a Spanish surname and place name — there are many towns named Del Mar throughout the Spanish-speaking world. As a given name, Delmar has a distinctly American mid-century feel, popular from the 1900s through the 1950s before fading from mainstream use.
Delmar peaked in American popularity during the early-to-mid 20th century, fitting the era's preference for simple, masculine names with Romance-language roots. It gained some recognition from the character Delmar O'Donnell in the Coen Brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).
The sea has been a powerful symbol across all cultures — freedom, adventure, and the unknown. A name meaning of the sea suggests a free-spirited, adventurous nature. Del Mar is also the name of a famous horse racing venue in California, adding a sporting connection.
Historical Record
Delmar first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,961 babies have been named Delmar in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Delmar is past its peak , currently ranked #4,769 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Del Mar, California is home to one of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing venues in the United States
- Delmar O'Donnell from O Brother, Where Art Thou? helped revive awareness of this vintage name
Delmar in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Delmar
Delmar Hansen
Athlete
1929
American professional football player who played in the NFL during the 1950s
Delmar O'Donnell Fictional
Other
Fictional character in the Coen Brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), played by Tim Blake Nelson
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,769
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Delmar
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Delmar is also used as a girl name, ranked #24174.
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Delmar
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About the Name Delmar
Delmar is a boy name with Spanish, American, and French origins . The name means "of the sea" in Spanish del + mar .
Is Delmar a boy or girl name? Delmar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,769 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,174. Delmar is more commonly used as a boy name.
Delmar is currently ranked #4,769 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Delmar has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHLM-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Delmar include Del. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Baby Name Wizard
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis