Thelma
will, desire (Greek via English literature)
Thelma is a english / other girl name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 184, with 42,568 records. It has 2 syllables.
Origin and meaning
will, desire (Greek via English literature)
The name Thelma was created in 19th-century English literature from the Greek root 'thelema'. It gained substantial popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, which led to its widespread adoption in the Philippines during the American period. Today, it remains well represented among older and middle-aged Filipino women.
Thelma was coined as a literary name by British novelist Marie Corelli for the title character of her 1887 novel 'Thelma', derived from the Greek word 'thelema' meaning 'will' or 'desire'. It became widely popular throughout the English-speaking world and was introduced into the Philippines during the American colonial period.
Name character
In the Philippines
A classic vintage name in the Philippines, typically associated with the Lola (grandmother) or Tita (aunt) generation. Common informal nicknames include 'Thel', 'Tel', or 'Telma'.
Related forms
- Telma Spanish
- Telma Portuguese
Would your family give Thelma?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Thelma for 2026 yet.
Thelma with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related girl names
About the name Thelma
How do I use Thelma with two Filipino surnames?
Thelma is the given name. The full name is Thelma + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Thelma a common girl name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Thelma is number 184, with 42,568 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.