Find out how popular the last name Helma is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Helma.

Helma, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Helma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Helma in America

Helma is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Helma surname appeared 108 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Helma.

We can also compare 2010 data for Helma to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Helma

The surname Helma is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the 16th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word "helm," which means "helmet" or "protector." This suggests that the surname may have been initially given to someone who worked as an armorer or was known for their skill in crafting helmets.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Helma can be found in the town records of Cologne, Germany, from the late 1500s. These records mention a family by the name of Helma residing in the city's outskirts. It is possible that this family played a role in the local armory or metalworking trade, which could explain the origin of their surname.

In the 17th century, the name Helma appeared in various historical documents across parts of central and southern Germany. Some of these documents reference individuals with the surname Helma who were involved in professions related to metalworking or military service, further reinforcing the potential connection between the name and its meaning.

One notable figure with the surname Helma was Johann Helma, a German blacksmith and armorer who lived in the late 17th century. Born in 1648 in the town of Erfurt, Johann Helma was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship in creating high-quality helmets and armor for local nobility and military forces.

Another significant individual bearing the surname Helma was Katharina Helma, a German writer and poet who lived from 1701 to 1778. Katharina Helma's works, which explored themes of nature and spirituality, gained recognition in literary circles during her lifetime and were influential in shaping the literary landscape of her era.

In the 19th century, the name Helma became more widespread across various regions of Germany. One notable figure from this period was Friedrich Helma, a German philosopher and educator born in 1832. Friedrich Helma's writings on ethics and moral philosophy garnered considerable attention, and he is remembered as a prominent intellectual of his time.

Over the centuries, the surname Helma has also been associated with various place names and locations across Germany. For instance, the town of Helmstadt in Bavaria is believed to have derived its name from the Old German word "helm," potentially indicating a connection to the surname Helma and its origins.

While the surname Helma is not as common today as it once was, it remains a part of Germany's rich cultural heritage, carrying with it a fascinating history and a deep connection to the country's past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Helma

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Helma.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Helma was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Helma has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Helma was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Helma, please contact us.

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