Meaning and Origin
What does the name Thelma mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Thelma
User Submitted Origins
Hebrew
55%
Greek
35%
African
5%
African American
5%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to 2 people from Nigeria and the United States, the name Thelma is of African origin and means "God's will".
- 2 submissions from the United States and the United Kingdom agree the name Thelma means "Will of God" and is of Hebrew origin.
- A user from Texas, U.S. says the name Thelma means "Nursling".
- A submission from Arizona, U.S. says the name Thelma means "Good's will" and is of Hebrew origin.
- A submission from Ghana says the name Thelma means "Will".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Wiktionary
A literary invention, first appeared in the Swedish novel Kyrkoinvigningen i Hammarby (1840-1841) by Emilie Flygare-Carlén, translated into English as "The Magic Goblet" (1845). Similar names of ambiguous origin, Elma, Selma, Velma, appeared in the 19th century.
By folk etymology explained as Ancient Greek θέλημα (thélēma, “will”). Notice also the Spanish and Portuguese Telma, a rare feminine form of Telmo, ultimately from Santelmo or Saint Elmo.
- A female given name originating as a coinage.