A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Telma since 1915
Babies named Telma per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 8 |
| 1960s | 47 |
| 1970s | 70 |
| 1980s | 64 |
| 1990s | 40 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 8 |
| 2020s | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Telma is a name that has appeared on U.S. records since 1915, but it has never been common. Its peak year was 1976, when it ranked 4,963rd, though even then it remained relatively rare. Since the early 1970s, the name saw a modest revival, dipping in the 1990s but rising again from 2022 onward. With a 1-in-229,610 incidence in 2024, Telma remains a distinctive choice. As of the latest data, no U.S. state shows a concentration of Telmas, underscoring its sparse, scattered use. The name likely traveled from Portuguese and Spanish communities, where it has a longer history, and its soft, melodic sound may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon but familiar-feeling name.
Telma is likely a short form of names such as Anselma (feminine of Anselm, from Germanic elements meaning 'god' and 'helmet') or a variant of Thelma, which was coined by English author Marie Corelli in her 1887 novel 'Thelma'. In Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries, Telma emerged as an independent given name in the 20th century.
“Telma” around the world
Where Telma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Telminha
Variants: Thelma
Sibling names for Telma
Names that share Telma's style, for a brother or sister.
