Anselm \a-nse-lm, an-selm\ as a boy's name is pronounced an-SELM. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Anselm is "God's helmet". Saint Anselm (11th century) was archbishop of Canterbury during William the Conqueror's reign, and a formidable influence on medieval Christian thought. Selma, a variant of the feminine form, is more common. Painter Anselm Kiefer.

Anselm has 8 variant forms: Anse, Ansel, Anselme, Anselmi, Anselmo, Anso, Elmo and Selmo.

Baby names that sound like Anselm are Ansell, Ancell and Ansly.