Thelma Girl

Popularity: #919 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: THEL-muh //ˈθɛl.mə//

Origin: Greek; English

Meaning: Greek: will; English: brave woman

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Thelma has its roots in the Greek language, deriving from the word "thelma," which means "will" or "volition." This etymology suggests a sense of determination or desire, reflecting the strength of will associated with the name. The name was popularized in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century, largely due to the influence of the novel "Thelma" by the British author Marie Corelli, published in 1887.

Corelli's work, which featured a strong and independent female protagonist, contributed significantly to the name's adoption in various English-speaking cultures. Historically, Thelma has been associated with various cultural and literary figures, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The character of Thelma in Corelli's novel was emblematic of the new woman of the era, embodying traits of independence and assertiveness that resonated with contemporary audiences. This association with strong female characters helped solidify the name's place in literary and cultural contexts, allowing it to endure through subsequent generations.

In addition to its literary significance, Thelma has been embraced in various cultural narratives, often symbolizing strength and individuality. The name has also been linked to themes of empowerment, particularly in the context of women's rights movements throughout the 20th century.

While diminutive forms such as Thel or Thea may arise in informal contexts, the name Thelma itself has maintained a distinct identity, rooted in its historical and cultural significance.

Famous people named Thelma

In this section, you will find notable people named Thelma. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Thelma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Thelma who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Thelma Ritter is an actress best known for All About Eve, Rear Window, and Pillow Talk.

Thelma Houston is a singer best known for Don't Leave Me This Way, and her work with the Motown label.

Fictional characters named Thelma

The following list of fictional characters named Thelma is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Thelma is a fictional character from the film Thelma & Louise. She is one of the two main protagonists who embarks on a road trip that turns into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Thelma, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

SelmaVelmaHelenaEmmaAlmaLila

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Thelma. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

TheaTessaTamaraTaliaThaliaTildaTamsinTara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Thelma was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Thelma has ranked as high as #54 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Kentucky.

In the past 5 years the name Thelma has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Thelma is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Thelma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Thelma.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 29 0 29
2024 33 0 33
2023 23 0 23
2022 26 0 26
2021 32 0 32
2020 27 0 27
2019 22 0 22
2018 27 0 27
2017 26 0 26
2016 32 0 32
2015 27 0 27
2014 25 0 25
2013 19 0 19
2012 27 0 27
2011 14 0 14
2010 20 0 20
2009 35 0 35
2008 30 0 30
2007 28 0 28
2006 34 0 34
2005 42 0 42
2004 31 0 31
2003 40 0 40
2002 31 0 31
2001 58 0 58
2000 50 0 50
1999 48 0 48
1998 62 0 62
1997 41 0 41
1996 48 0 48
1995 79 0 79
1994 70 0 70
1993 72 0 72
1992 89 0 89
1991 86 0 86
1990 92 0 92
1989 95 0 95
1988 84 0 84
1987 92 0 92
1986 105 0 105
1985 101 0 101
1984 122 0 122
1983 119 0 119
1982 152 0 152
1981 152 0 152
1980 148 0 148
1979 164 0 164
1978 171 0 171
1977 195 0 195
1976 193 0 193
1975 198 0 198
1974 238 0 238
1973 219 0 219
1972 225 0 225
1971 281 0 281
1970 274 0 274
1969 323 5 318
1968 400 0 400
1967 388 0 388
1966 475 0 475
1965 579 0 579
1964 655 0 655
1963 727 7 720
1962 757 5 752
1961 777 5 772
1960 842 7 835
1959 899 0 899
1958 853 6 847
1957 967 0 967
1956 1,078 0 1,078
1955 1,116 11 1,105
1954 1,249 8 1,241
1953 1,300 5 1,295
1952 1,364 6 1,358
1951 1,528 0 1,528
1950 1,458 0 1,458
1949 1,634 9 1,625
1948 1,773 10 1,763
1947 1,914 12 1,902
1946 1,802 8 1,794
1945 1,858 5 1,853
1944 2,011 14 1,997
1943 2,222 12 2,210
1942 2,270 13 2,257
1941 2,377 10 2,367
1940 2,472 11 2,461
1939 2,720 24 2,696
1938 2,882 16 2,866
1937 3,081 19 3,062
1936 3,228 32 3,196
1935 3,222 32 3,190
1934 3,676 30 3,646
1933 3,661 25 3,636
1932 4,299 27 4,272
1931 4,477 37 4,440
1930 5,284 34 5,250
1929 5,508 32 5,476
1928 6,011 33 5,978
1927 6,330 27 6,303
1926 6,621 36 6,585
1925 6,864 41 6,823
1924 7,361 45 7,316
1923 7,408 29 7,379
1922 7,281 27 7,254
1921 7,871 32 7,839
1920 7,846 32 7,814
1919 7,600 42 7,558
1918 7,784 44 7,740
1917 7,273 28 7,245
1916 7,320 30 7,290
1915 6,790 28 6,762
1914 5,519 23 5,496
1913 4,624 29 4,595
1912 4,203 20 4,183
1911 3,178 12 3,166
1910 2,993 17 2,976
1909 2,624 12 2,612
1908 2,534 8 2,526
1907 2,352 13 2,339
1906 2,126 12 2,114
1905 1,955 10 1,945
1904 1,766 9 1,757
1903 1,488 9 1,479
1902 1,315 6 1,309
1901 1,090 0 1,090
1900 1,094 0 1,094
1899 736 0 736
1898 605 0 605
1897 425 6 419
1896 265 5 260
1895 173 0 173
1894 70 0 70
1893 42 0 42
1892 33 0 33
1891 25 0 25
1890 22 0 22
1889 24 0 24
1888 15 0 15
1887 7 0 7
1886 12 0 12
1884 7 0 7
1883 6 0 6
1880 5 0 5

Top States for Thelma (2016)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 6
100%