When was Thelma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Thelma Kish?

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

Thelma Kish — 271K & 9K bearers

Thelma Kish 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 Kish: Ben Kish (1917–1989), American National Football League player Daniel Kish (born 1966), American president of World Access for the Blind Eleanor Kish (1924–2014), American artist George Kish (1914–1989), American cartographer Jen Kish (born 1988), Canadian former rugby union player Joseph Kish (1899–1969), American set decorator Justine Kish (Svetlana Nasibulina, born 1988), American mixed martial artist Kristen Kish (born 1983), Korean-born American chef, winner of the tenth season of Top Chef, and television host Larry Kish (1941–2025), Canadian-born American National Hockey League head coac. 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: Kish

English

Ben Kish (1917–1989), American National Football League player Daniel Kish (born 1966), American president of World Access for the Blind Eleanor Kish (1924–2014), American artist George Kish (1914–1989), American cartographer Jen Kish (born 1988), Canadian former rugby union player Joseph Kish (1899–1969), American set decorator Justine Kish (Svetlana Nasibulina, born 1988), American mixed martial artist Kristen Kish (born 1983), Korean-born American chef, winner of the tenth season of Top Chef, and television host Larry Kish (1941–2025), Canadian-born American National Hockey League head coac.

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 Kish

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 Kish:

7

Expression Number

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

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

1

Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

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 Kish?: The surname Kish originates from English. Ben Kish (1917–1989), American National Football League player Daniel Kish (born 1966), American president of World Access for the Blind Eleanor Kish (1924–2014), American artist George Kish (1914–1989), American cartographer Jen Kish (born 1988), Canadian former rugby union player Joseph Kish (1899–1969), American set decorator Justine Kish (Svetlana Nasibulina, born 1988), American mixed martial artist Kristen Kish (born 1983), Korean-born American chef, winner of the tenth season of Top Chef, and television host Larry Kish (1941–2025), Canadian-born American National Hockey League head coac.
What are the origins of the name Thelma Kish?: The name Thelma Kish combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Kish originates from English.