When was Thelma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Thelma Heaton?

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

Thelma Heaton — 271K & 14K bearers

Thelma Heaton 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 Heaton: Heaton is a habitational surname that originated in several locations in England. The name derives from Old English hēah ("high)" and tūn ("enclosure" or "settlement"). Arthur B. Heaton (1875–1951), American architect Ben Heaton (born 1990), British rugby league footballer Bill Heaton (1918–1990), English footballer Bob Heaton (born 1956), American politician Charlie Heaton (born 1994), British actor and musician Chris Heaton-Harris (born 1967), British politician, Member of the European Parliament Chuck Heaton (1917–2008), American sports news journalist Dave Heaton (1941–2025), Iowa State Re. 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: Heaton

English

Heaton is a habitational surname that originated in several locations in England. The name derives from Old English hēah ("high)" and tūn ("enclosure" or "settlement"). Arthur B. Heaton (1875–1951), American architect Ben Heaton (born 1990), British rugby league footballer Bill Heaton (1918–1990), English footballer Bob Heaton (born 1956), American politician Charlie Heaton (born 1994), British actor and musician Chris Heaton-Harris (born 1967), British politician, Member of the European Parliament Chuck Heaton (1917–2008), American sports news journalist Dave Heaton (1941–2025), Iowa State Re.

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 Heaton

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 Heaton:

5

Expression Number

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

9

Soul Urge Number

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

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 Heaton?: The surname Heaton originates from English. Heaton is a habitational surname that originated in several locations in England. The name derives from Old English hēah ("high)" and tūn ("enclosure" or "settlement"). Arthur B. Heaton (1875–1951), American architect Ben Heaton (born 1990), British rugby league footballer Bill Heaton (1918–1990), English footballer Bob Heaton (born 1956), American politician Charlie Heaton (born 1994), British actor and musician Chris Heaton-Harris (born 1967), British politician, Member of the European Parliament Chuck Heaton (1917–2008), American sports news journalist Dave Heaton (1941–2025), Iowa State Re.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Heaton?: The name Thelma Heaton combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Heaton originates from English.