When was Thelma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Thelma Downes?

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

Thelma Downes — 271K & 6K bearers

Thelma Downes 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 Downes: Aaron Downes (born 1985), Australian footballer Aidan Downes (born 1988), Irish footballer Alexander Downes (1868–1950), Australian-born rugby player and cricketer who relocated to New Zealand Andrew Downes (scholar) (c. 1549–1628), English classical scholar Andrew Downes (composer) (1950–2023), British classical composer Arthur Downes (1883–1956), Scottish sailor who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics Arthur Downes (police officer) (1895–1984), British-born New Zealand soldier, clerk, salesman and policeman Austin Downes (1905–1979), American football player at the University of Georgia Bes. 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: Downes

Irish

Aaron Downes (born 1985), Australian footballer Aidan Downes (born 1988), Irish footballer Alexander Downes (1868–1950), Australian-born rugby player and cricketer who relocated to New Zealand Andrew Downes (scholar) (c. 1549–1628), English classical scholar Andrew Downes (composer) (1950–2023), British classical composer Arthur Downes (1883–1956), Scottish sailor who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics Arthur Downes (police officer) (1895–1984), British-born New Zealand soldier, clerk, salesman and policeman Austin Downes (1905–1979), American football player at the University of Georgia Bes.

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 Downes

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 Downes:

4

Expression Number

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

8

Soul Urge Number

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

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 Downes?: The surname Downes originates from Irish. Aaron Downes (born 1985), Australian footballer Aidan Downes (born 1988), Irish footballer Alexander Downes (1868–1950), Australian-born rugby player and cricketer who relocated to New Zealand Andrew Downes (scholar) (c. 1549–1628), English classical scholar Andrew Downes (composer) (1950–2023), British classical composer Arthur Downes (1883–1956), Scottish sailor who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics Arthur Downes (police officer) (1895–1984), British-born New Zealand soldier, clerk, salesman and policeman Austin Downes (1905–1979), American football player at the University of Georgia Bes.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Downes?: The name Thelma Downes combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Downes originates from Irish.