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Comments and insights on the name Wilma: | Edit

The name Wilma is a name for a strong, attractive and courageous girl and woman. It is a word of substance and its relationship to the male name William or Wilhelm gives it a decidedly regal or heraldic sound, as well as a Western European sound. The related name Wilhelmina is also a substantial and royal-sounding name.

Personal experiences with the name Wilma: | Edit

My late sister Wilma, born in the mid 1950s and died in the mid 1980s from ovarian cancer, had a love-hate relationship with her uncommon name. Growing up she was teased as being "Wilma Flintstone". While in college she saw a popular restaurant called "Chilly Willy" during a spring break trip south and decided to do some updating with her name and called herself "Willi" from that point on. Due to her beauty and poise, as well as personal strength and high intelligence, I suggested she consider "Willa", like Willa Cather, or "Willow", like my favorite graceful tree, but "Willi" was her choice. She was her own person to the last, and fought her losing battle, in two different battles, with CA with incredible endurance and composure. Her death was and remains the defining moment of my life, and to this day when I see two older women in a happy duo chatting away happily and having fun I think to myself, "That should have been us, Willi and me." I write this entry to honor her memory and encourage more girls named Wilma, Willi or Willa.

Nicknames for Wilma: | Edit

Willie, Willa

Meanings and history of the name Wilma: | Edit

From German, a short form of Wilhelmina. This name is still common in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. An alternative form used in many European countries is Vilma.

Famous real-life people named Wilma: | Edit

Wilma Rudolph, African-American track sprinter and Olympic champion
Wilma Mankiller, first female chief of the Cherokee Nation
Wilma Lee Cooper, American country and bluegrass singer

Wilma in song, story & screen: | Edit

Wilma Flintstone, character in the cartoon 'The Flintstones'
Wilma Deering, character from the TV series "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"
Hurricane Wilma (2005), the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic.