A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Thelma since 1880
Babies named Thelma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Thelma's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 76 |
| 1890s | 2,385 |
| 1900s | 18,265 |
| 1910s | 57,011 |
| 1920s | 68,767 |
| 1930s | 36,254 |
| 1940s | 20,229 |
| 1950s | 11,776 |
| 1960s | 5,894 |
| 1970s | 2,158 |
| 1980s | 1,170 |
| 1990s | 687 |
| 2000s | 379 |
| 2010s | 239 |
| 2020s | 170 |
Meaning & origin
Thelma first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880 and saw its peak year of popularity in 1911, during the 1910s decade. After a long decline, the name has been rising since 2012. The name's trajectory reflects a revival of early 20th-century names. Although top states were not recorded in this digest, the name's recent steady growth suggests renewed interest among modern parents.
Thelma is a name of uncertain origin, first appearing in the late 19th century. It gained prominence through Marie Corelli's 1887 novel 'Thelma' and was notably used in early 20th-century films. The name peaked in popularity in the United States in the 1910s and has since declined, though it has seen a recent resurgence since the 2010s.
Where Thelma is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Thelma” around the world
Where Thelma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
230
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Thel, Thelm
Sibling names for Thelma
Names that share Thelma's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Alma, Selma, Velma, Wilma, Elma, Leola, Melba, Phyllis, Berneice, Delma, Laverna, Melva, Myrna, Nedra, Nelda, Retha, Treva, Verla, Verlene, Wilda, Zelma, Arletta, Bernetta, Cleora, Creola, Delorise, Elvera, Elwanda, Lahoma, Laveta, Melda, Onnie, Ozella, Reatha, Theola, Trula, Velda, Velva, Vilma, Waneta, Aloma, Ardean, Ardie, Belma, Evalene, Fredna, Izella, Izola, Laveda, Luretha, Lurlene, Mardella, Melvia, Nelma, Nelva, Neomia, Oretha, Reeda, Relda, Rogene, Velmer, Velna, Velta, Vermell, Verneda, Weltha, Willine, Willma, Wylma, Wynema, Zelpha, Altamese, Alzada, Areatha, Arloa, Berma, Captola, Chrystine, Delva, Derotha, Gilma, Gurtha, Guyla, Iline, Iretha, Irva, Ladona, Loeta, Lorell, Lutisha, Luwana, Melvenia, Norva, Odeal, Orlinda, Sherma, Talma, Thelda, Valory, Verdella, Verdelle, Verneta, Wreatha, Almeter, Olamae, Alveda, Arcenia, Arneda, Arneta, Arnice, Bernetha, Deletha, Deloyce, Deltha, Donzella, Earnestene, Eldoris, Elnita, Elveta, Ermalee, Ertha, Eudell, Felma, Glema, Guelda, Idonna, Inetha, Lendora, Lenis, Lounell, Loyda, Lurlean, Marvia, Oleda, Onetta, Ortha, Quida, Reathel, Renelda, Twylla, Valta, Velvia, Velvie, Verley, Versia, Wahneta, Wanona, Waunetta, Welda, Welma, Wilmetta, Zelta, Zenola
Brothers: Elmer, Walter, Chester, Harold, Ernest, Ardell, Arlin, Cleotha, Derral, Eldo, Levert, Levester, Thelbert, Thurmon, Barth, Cleotis, Delman, Elester, Elmus, Glenard, Wendal, Algia, Alvon, Arnol, Delmo, Ledell, Thelton, Virgal, Wilman
