Erma

UR-mah
Variation of Irma, English, German, Slovene
"whole, great, universal; army man"

Erma Origin and Meaning

The name Erma is a girl's name meaning "whole, great, universal; army man".

A variation of the German Irma, Erma emerged in the 19th century in English-speaking countries where its similarity to timeless Emma might have helped it gain popularity. In fact, if you follow its Germanic roots, it relates back to irmin meaning "whole, great", the same as Emma does.

Another possibility is that it derives from Ermina, the Slovene variation of Hermina, the feminine form the Germanic Herman, meaning "army man".

Popular in the early 1900s, it hasn't appeared in the US charts since the late '60s. Is it ready for a comeback? Perhaps not quite yet, but then again, it's not too dissimilar to Alma, Emma, and Esther, and it might even appeal to those who like Emerson, but want something more old fashioned?

Erma was given to 22 girls in 2023.

# 960 in the US

Erma Rank in US Top 1000

Famous People Named Erma

  • Erma Louise Bombeck
    American journalist and author
  • Erma Vernice Franklin
    American R&B singer, sister of Aretha Franklin
  • Erma M. Bergmann
    All,American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher
  • Erma Perham Proetz
    American ad exec; first woman inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame

Erma in Pop Culture

  • Erma Felna
    character in comic book series "Erma Felna: EDF" by Steve Gallacci