All about the name

Wilmah

Female

« Wilmah is a rare African American girl's name coined by Willis Richardson for his 1909 play 'The Broken Banjo', though its origin and meaning remain mysterious. »

#49877 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Wilmah is a unique and distinctive given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been coined by the African American poet and playwright Willis Richardson, who used it as a character's name in his play "The Broken Banjo" in 1909. The meaning and history behind Wilmah are not clearly documented, making it one of the many mysterious names with unknown etymologies. Some speculate that Richardson may have created the name as an amalgamation of other names he admired or found inspiring. However, without concrete evidence or statements from Richardson himself, this remains purely speculative. Despite its uncertain origins and meaning, Wilmah has been used as a given name for girls in African American communities over the past century. It is considered to be a rare and special choice, reflecting the creativity and individuality of those who bear it. In terms of popularity, Wilmah is not listed among the Social Security Administration's most popular baby names in the United States. This further emphasizes its rarity and unique status as a name with an elusive history and meaning.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Wilmah since 1880

Total births
13
Total since 1880
Peak year
1921
7 births
in 1921
7
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years