Fun Facts About the Name Semma
- 21 babies named Semma: U.S. records list 21 babies given the name Semma from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Semma Mean?
Semma has no single established meaning and more than one possible background. It is used as a feminine name in Muslim and Turkish communities, where it is sometimes treated as a spelling variant of Sema or Sama. That name comes from Arabic samāʾ, meaning "sky" or "heaven." The Turkish form Sema is also the name of the Sufi whirling ceremony, but the given name is generally understood as "sky."
A separate and older use of the exact spelling Semma is biblical. It appears in the Douay-Rheims English translation as a masculine name. In 1 Samuel 16:9, Semma stands for the Hebrew Shammah, a son of Jesse; that name is often connected with a root meaning "to be desolate" and is glossed as "astonishment" or "desolation." In 2 Samuel 13:3, the form Semmaa stands for Shimeah, a brother of David, from the Hebrew root shama, "to hear," meaning "he has heard." Because the same English spelling represents different Hebrew names, the biblical meaning is not single.
The similar South Asian name Seema comes from Sanskrit sīmā, "boundary" or "limit." The spelling Semma is not the usual transliteration of that name, so a direct connection is uncertain.
Semma Name History & Origins
The exact spelling Semma appears in English through Bible translation. In the Douay-Rheims version, produced in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Semma was used for the Hebrew Shammah and Semmaa for Shimeah. These were transliterations of Hebrew names, not English inventions. Outside those translations, the spelling is rare in English.
In modern use, Semma is also found as a feminine name in Muslim and Turkish communities, where it is sometimes treated as a spelling variant of Sema. That name comes from Arabic samāʾ, "sky." Turkish families have used Sema as a given name, and Semma is used as a variant spelling in some modern contexts.
The similar Indian name Seema, from Sanskrit sīmā, "boundary," is sometimes confused with Semma because of the similar sound. The two are not the same name, and Semma is not the standard form of the Sanskrit name.
How Popular is the Name Semma?
Semma has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2020. Its best rank was #14,833 in 2020.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #16,878 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #17,285 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #14,833 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #17,731 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Semma Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Semma's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Semma's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.