Anselma

Meaning of Anselma

Anselma presents a distinctive fusion of Germanic and Italian anthroponymic traditions, its composition tracing to Old High German ans (“divine”) and helm (“protection”) before being absorbed into Italian usage—where it is articulated as ahn-SEHL-mah (/anˈsɛlma/). Although it remains seldom encountered in Anglo-American registries, the name’s discrete presence in Texas birth data from 1916 to 1936, encompassing five to nine annual occurrences and ranks between 171 and 198, indicates a modest yet intermittent adoption; this nomenclature, imbued with theological gravitas and historical resonance through associations with medieval ecclesiastical figures such as Saint Anselm of Canterbury, offers an analytically sound selection for those seeking a technically substantive designation that retains structural significance.

Pronunciation

Italian

• Pronunced as ahn-SEHL-mah (/anˈsɛlma/)

• Selma