Thelma
Thelma is of Greek origin, derived from 'thelema' meaning 'will' or 'wish.' The name was popularized by British author Marie Corelli's 1887 novel 'Thelma,' and became fashionable in the early 20th century.
Current Popularity
#4745 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Strong vintage appeal with potential for modern revival
- •Famous from the classic film 'Thelma & Louise' (1991)
- •Was most popular in the 1920s-1930s, now considered retro-chic
Similar Names
Famous People
Thelma Ritter
Actress, six-time Oscar nominee
Thelma Houston
Grammy-winning soul and disco singer
Thelma Schoonmaker
Film editor, frequent Martin Scorsese collaborator
Thelma Todd
Silent film actress and comedian
Statistics
225,460
Total births since 1880
1921
Peak year
Discovery
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