Thelma
Thelma is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Will, volition, or wish.
Origin and history
Thelma is a name of Greek origin derived from the word meaning 'will' or 'volition'. Though predominantly given to females in the United States, historical SSA records show occasional usage for boys, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the name is quite rare for males in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
1,142 babies in the United States have been named Thelma since 1880. It ranks #3550 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- GA (29.5 %)
- NC (28.6 %)
- TX (18.1 %)
- VA (9.5 %)
- AR (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 11 |
| 1900-1910 | 79 |
| 1910-1920 | 273 |
| 1920-1930 | 334 |
| 1930-1940 | 276 |
| 1940-1950 | 104 |
| 1950-1960 | 36 |
| 1960-1970 | 29 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread popularity following the 1887 publication of Marie Corelli's novel 'Thelma'.
- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S., several traditionally feminine names saw minor crossover usage for boys.