name
Thelma
Thelma (name) means a female given name that became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. Example: “Her grandmother was named Thelma.”
name
1
A female given name that became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.
"Her grandmother was named Thelma."
How to use Thelma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA woman's first name.
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Etymology
Invented by a Swedish novelist in the 1840s; later folk tradition linked it to Greek thélēma, "will," though that connection was added after the fact.
Class of 1840
Thelma joined the language around 1840.
See the full Class of 1840 →
Synonyms
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Selma
Telma
Related words
Rhymes for Thelma
See all rhymes for Thelma →Frequently asked questions
What does “Thelma” mean?
The word “Thelma” means a female given name that became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. In plain terms, a woman's first name.
How do you use “Thelma” in a sentence?
Here is “Thelma” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother was named Thelma.”
What part of speech is “Thelma”?
“Thelma” is a name.
Where does the word “Thelma” come from?
The word “Thelma” dates back to around 1840 and comes from Greek. Invented by a Swedish novelist in the 1840s; later folk tradition linked it to Greek thélēma, "will," though that connection was added after the fact.
