German short form of names beginning with the Germanic element ermen, which meant 'whole, universal'. It is thus related to Emma. It began to be regularly used in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. Irma originates in Germanic languages and means 'universal woman'. The anglicized form of the name is most likely Emma. In the English-speaking countries it has been used since the 19th century but never became overly popular.
Irma Related Names Variants: Imma (Low German), Erma (English), Irmuska Diminutives: Imke (German), Irmuska (Hungarian)
