Thelma
Thelma is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Will, wish, or desire.
Origin and history
Thelma is a female given name popularized by the British author Marie Corelli in her 1887 novel of the same name. It is likely derived from the Greek word 'thelēma', meaning 'will' or 'wish'. Though highly popular in the United States in the early 20th century, it is considered a rare vintage choice today.
Popularity in the United States
225,460 babies in the United States have been named Thelma since 1880. It ranks #178 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1931.
States where it is most popular
- PA (6.7 %)
- TX (6.4 %)
- NC (5 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
- KY (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 76 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,385 |
| 1900-1910 | 18,265 |
| 1910-1920 | 57,011 |
| 1920-1930 | 68,767 |
| 1930-1940 | 36,254 |
| 1940-1950 | 20,229 |
| 1950-1960 | 11,776 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,894 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,158 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,170 |
| 1990-2000 | 687 |
| 2000-2010 | 379 |
| 2010-2019 | 239 |
| 2020-2029 | 170 |
Famous people named Thelma
- Thelma Ritter: Actress, Comedian
- Thelma Todd: Actress
- Thelma Hopkins: Singer, Actress
Nicknames
Thel
Fun facts
- The name was created by popular Victorian novelist Marie Corelli for her 1887 romantic novel 'Thelma'.
- Thelma ranked among the top 50 most popular names for American girls throughout the 1900s and 1910s.