She’s as Southern as Savannah, worn by actress Selma Blair and possibly related to the masculine – and saintly – name Anselm.

Of course, she’s also Norway’s answer to the Loch Ness monster.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

No Comments

  1. Yea! Selma is definitely growing on me. I also like Velma, but that’s less likely to catch on. I don’t like Salma though. I find it awkward to say.

  2. I only think of Selma Diamond, the raspy-voiced actress on the first season of Night Court.

  3. What Photoquilty said, fueled by a lonnnng trip I took across the American South on a Greyhound bus many years ago.

    Can’t I believe I forgot about Selma from the Simpsons. My dear husband sometimes refers to his sisters-in-law (he likes them, really he does) as Patty and Selma.

    Panya, Alma is lovely – though it makes me think of the poor girl in Ghost Story.

    I suppose salmonella is the inevitable teasing nickname …

    Still, I sort of like Selma.

    1. Now see, I read that book a few years ago, and it never occurred to me once! So I don’t think it would be an issue. 🙂

  4. Wow! I never thought of it as Southern. It’s ok. I neither like it nor dislike it, though I shy away from it. I do prefer Salma as opposed to Selma. Maybe it’s because I prefer Salma to Selma? I said maybe because I’m in the middle. I’d never use it or consider it, though. Just isn’t my vibe. I do like Blair as a name & Hayek as a surname if that helps

  5. I do agree with what some of the other people have said…the Simpsons has spoiled the name Selma for me!

  6. Nay. The sound isn’t attractive to me, and all I can think of is Selma Bouvier.

    Salma is just okay. Which is strange, since Alma is our #1 pick for a girl right now [one would think I’d like Salma more].

  7. I don’t dislike Selma, but I don’t love it, I think it’s the “elm” part. Salma is better, but I think it’s too attached to Ms. Hayek.
    I do think that Alva and Sima are quite pretty and real possibilities.

  8. JNE beat me to it. That is one of my first associations, having grown up in the 1990s.

  9. Don’t forget Selma Bouvier! Twin to Patty, sister to Marge Simpson. Not an inspiring namesake, but I still think there’s potential.