Thelma
Thelma: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Thelma
- A female given name originating as a coinage.
Etymology
A literary invention, first appeared in the Swedish novel Kyrkoinvigningen i Hammarby (1840-1841) by Emilie Flygare-Carlén, translated into English as "The Magic Goblet" (1845). Similar names of ambiguous origin, Elma, Selma, Velma, appeared in the 19th century. By folk etymology explained as Ancient Greek θέλημα (thélēma, “will”). Notice also the Spanish and Portuguese Telma, a rare feminine form of Telmo, ultimately from Santelmo or Saint Elmo.
How popular is Thelma?
Since 1880, 225,460 girls and 1,142 boys in the U.S. have been named Thelma (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #25 in 1910. Its highest rank for boys was #750 in 1906. In 2025, 29 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Thelma
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Thelma
Names that peaked around the same time as Thelma and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Thelma FAQ
What does the name Thelma mean?
A female given name originating as a coinage. A literary invention, first appeared in the Swedish novel Kyrkoinvigningen i Hammarby (1840-1841) by Emilie Flygare-Carlén, translated into English as "The Magic Goblet" (1845). Similar names of ambiguous origin, Elma, Selma, Velma, appeared in the 19th century. By folk etymology explained as Ancient Greek θέλημα (thélēma, “will”). Notice also the Spanish and Portuguese Telma, a rare feminine form of Telmo, ultimately from Santelmo or Saint Elmo.
How popular is the name Thelma?
Since 1880, 225,460 girls and 1,142 boys in the U.S. have been named Thelma (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #25 in 1910. Its highest rank for boys was #750 in 1906. In 2025, 29 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Thelma a boy or girl name?
Thelma is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 225,460 girls and 1,142 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.