Thelma Cullen

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Thelma Cullen — Greek
271K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Thelma Cullen 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 Cullen: Cullen is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicised form of Gaelic Ó Cuileáin "descendant of Cuileán", a name meaning "wolfhound whelp", "young hound". It is also considered by some to mean the "handsome one". The Uí Cuileáin of County Tyrone were erenaghs of Clogher. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Cullanes were one of the chiefly families of the Uí Fidgenti who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Cullen is also found as a surname in Scotland and England; an example being the Cullen baronets. 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: Cullen

Celtic

Cullen is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicised form of Gaelic Ó Cuileáin "descendant of Cuileán", a name meaning "wolfhound whelp", "young hound". It is also considered by some to mean the "handsome one". The Uí Cuileáin of County Tyrone were erenaghs of Clogher. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Cullanes were one of the chiefly families of the Uí Fidgenti who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Cullen is also found as a surname in Scotland and England; an example being the Cullen baronets.

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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
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Notable People Named Thelma Cullen

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 Cullen:

9
Expression Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

5
Soul Urge Number

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

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 Cullen?
The surname Cullen originates from Celtic. Cullen is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicised form of Gaelic Ó Cuileáin "descendant of Cuileán", a name meaning "wolfhound whelp", "young hound". It is also considered by some to mean the "handsome one". The Uí Cuileáin of County Tyrone were erenaghs of Clogher. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Cullanes were one of the chiefly families of the Uí Fidgenti who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Cullen is also found as a surname in Scotland and England; an example being the Cullen baronets.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Cullen?
The name Thelma Cullen combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Cullen originates from Celtic.
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