When was Thelma most popular?

The name Thelma reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Thelma Alter?

The name Thelma Alter combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Alter originates from Hebrew.

Thelma Alter — 271K & 4K bearers

Thelma Alter is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Thelma is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Thelma is a female given name. It was popularized by Victorian writer Marie Corelli who gave the name to the title character of her 1887 novel Thelma. Although the character was supposed to be Norwegian, it is not a traditional Scandinavian name. It may be related to a Greek word meaning "will, volition" see Thelema). Note that although consonant with another female given name, Selma, the two are not synonymous. The surname Alter: Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill. Thelma is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 271K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Thelma reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Thelma

Greek

Thelma is a female given name. It was popularized by Victorian writer Marie Corelli who gave the name to the title character of her 1887 novel Thelma. Although the character was supposed to be Norwegian, it is not a traditional Scandinavian name. It may be related to a Greek word meaning "will, volition" see Thelema). Note that although consonant with another female given name, Selma, the two are not synonymous.

Surname: Alter

Hebrew

Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Thelma is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Thelma by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Thelma Alter

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Thelma Alter:

7

Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

3

Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

4

Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Thelma?: The first name Thelma originates from Greek. Thelma is a female given name. It was popularized by Victorian writer Marie Corelli who gave the name to the title character of her 1887 novel Thelma. Although the character was supposed to be Norwegian, it is not a traditional Scandinavian name. It may be related to a Greek word meaning "will, volition" see Thelema). Note that although consonant with another female given name, Selma, the two are not synonymous.
When was Thelma most popular?: The name Thelma reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Alter?: The surname Alter originates from Hebrew. Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Alter?: The name Thelma Alter combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Alter originates from Hebrew.