Erma
Fact sheet
- Name
- Erma
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Erma is a female first name that can be seen as a variant of Irma or as an independent short form of names that begin with the elements 'Erm-' or 'Irm-', such as Ermgard and Irmgard.
What does the name Erma mean?
The name Erma, a derivative of Irma, means 'the All-Encompassing', 'the Great', 'the Powerful', and 'the Divine'. Its roots lie in the Old High German irmin or ermen, which means 'all-encompassing', 'all-seeing', 'powerful', 'great', 'sublime', 'world', or 'earth'. Additionally, in Germanic, there are the terms irmina and ermana, which carry similar meanings. Other variants include Emma, Ema, Emmi, Emmy, and Imma.
Where does the name Erma come from?
The first name Erma has ancient Germanic origins and stands for 'the Great'. The etymology refers to the ancient Germanic terms irmina and ermana, which mean 'all-encompassing', 'great', or 'powerful'. In Old High German, the terms irmin and ermen are found, which carry similar meanings and relate to concepts such as 'all-encompassing', 'all-seeing', as well as 'world' and 'earth'. The languages in which the name occurs are German and English.
How do you pronounce Erma?
The name Erma has a clear, two-syllable sound: 'Er-ma' [ˈɛʁma]. The rolled or trilled 'r' sound gives the beginning of the name a special depth, while the open '-ma' creates a warm and gentle ending. Erma sounds simple and calm – traditional yet accessible and harmonious.
When is the name day of Erma?
The name days for Erma are January 31, April 19, June 27, September 9, and December 10.
Popularity
In Germany, Erma is a common first name. In 2022, it ranked 3,777th in the list of the most common female first names. Over the last ten years, Erma has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it 8,964th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 10,533rd. Information on the global popularity and rankings of Erma in the name charts of various countries is also available.
Famous people
- Erma Bombeck (American writer)
- Erma Elzy-Jones (American film director)
- Erma Franklin (American singer)
- Erma Sulistianingsih (Indonesian badminton player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Erma
What is the meaning of the name Erma?
The name Erma is derived from Irma and means 'the All-Encompassing', 'the Great', 'the Powerful', or 'the Divine'.
Where does the first name Erma come from?
Erma has ancient Germanic roots and refers to the terms irmina and ermana, which convey concepts such as 'all-encompassing' and 'great'.
How popular is the name Erma?
The popularity of the name Erma varies, but it is considered rather rare, especially compared to similar names like Emma.