Thelma
Peaked at #25 nationally in 1910, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Thelma has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
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Thelma — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#25
in 1910
Current rank
#4446
in 2024
Years tracked
142
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Thelma reached its peak popularity for girls in 1910, ranking #25 nationally with 2,976 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #5441 (2014) to #4446 (2024) — a 18% improvement.
As of 2024, Thelma ranks #4446 nationally for girls, with 32 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #4,446 | 32 |
| 2023 | #5,534 | 23 |
| 2022 | #5,158 | 26 |
| 2021 | #4,498 | 31 |
| 2020 | #4,867 | 27 |
| 2019 | #5,777 | 22 |
| 2018 | #4,995 | 27 |
| 2017 | #5,176 | 26 |
Thelma — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#750
in 1906
Last ranked
#4964
in 1969
Years tracked
60
1896–1969
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1896, Thelma reached its peak popularity for boys in 1906, ranking #750 nationally with 12 babies given the name that year.
Thelma hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1969, when it stood at #4964.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | #4,964 | 5 |
| 1963 | #3,621 | 7 |
| 1962 | #4,576 | 5 |
| 1961 | #4,603 | 5 |
| 1960 | #3,631 | 7 |
| 1958 | #3,903 | 6 |
| 1955 | #2,541 | 11 |
| 1954 | #3,147 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Thelma most popular?
Thelma was most popular in 1910, when it ranked #25 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Thelma becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Thelma?
At least 226,571 babies have been recorded with the name Thelma in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Thelma? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.