When was Thelma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Thelma Cates?

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

Thelma Cates — 271K & 18K bearers

Thelma Cates 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 Cates: Challen Cates (born 1967), American actress Clifton Bledsoe Cates (1893–1970), 19th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps David Allan Cates (born 1956), American novelist Fatima Cates (1865–1900), British Muslim convert and activist George Cates (1911–2002), American musical conductor associated with Lawrence Welk George Edward Cates (1892–1917), English recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War I Gilbert Cates (1934–2011), American film director Kristy Cates (born 1977), American stage actress and singer Michael Cates (born 1961), Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University Mir. 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: Cates

English

Challen Cates (born 1967), American actress Clifton Bledsoe Cates (1893–1970), 19th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps David Allan Cates (born 1956), American novelist Fatima Cates (1865–1900), British Muslim convert and activist George Cates (1911–2002), American musical conductor associated with Lawrence Welk George Edward Cates (1892–1917), English recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War I Gilbert Cates (1934–2011), American film director Kristy Cates (born 1977), American stage actress and singer Michael Cates (born 1961), Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University Mir.

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 Cates

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 Cates:

8

Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3

Soul Urge Number

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

5

Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

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 Cates?: The surname Cates originates from English. Challen Cates (born 1967), American actress Clifton Bledsoe Cates (1893–1970), 19th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps David Allan Cates (born 1956), American novelist Fatima Cates (1865–1900), British Muslim convert and activist George Cates (1911–2002), American musical conductor associated with Lawrence Welk George Edward Cates (1892–1917), English recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War I Gilbert Cates (1934–2011), American film director Kristy Cates (born 1977), American stage actress and singer Michael Cates (born 1961), Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University Mir.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Cates?: The name Thelma Cates combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Cates originates from English.