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Norma

Girl name · 111 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Norma: 111 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 20 births in 1974.

The name Norma is most commonly traced to the Latin *norma*, meaning a carpenter's square or, by extension, a rule or pattern. It was popularised in the 19th century by Vincenzo Bellini's tragic opera *Norma*, which gave the name a dramatic, romantic air. Famous bearers include the Oscar-winning actress Norma Shearer and Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in the landmark US abortion case *Roe v. Wade*. While no major places share the name, it has a strong cultural echo in the word "normal," derived from the same Latin root. A charming variant is the Italian *Normina*, and the name enjoyed a quiet revival in Scotland during the mid-20th century.