When was Thelma most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Thelma Li?

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

Thelma Li — 271K & 112K bearers

Thelma Li 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 Li: Li or Lee ([lì]; Chinese: 李; pinyin: Lǐ) is a common Chinese surname; it is the fourth name listed in the famous Hundred Family Surnames. Li is one of the most common surnames in Asia, shared by 92.76 million people in China, and more than 100 million in Asia. It is the second-most common surname in China as of 2018, the second-most common surname in Hong Kong, the most common surname in Macau and the 5th most common surname in Taiwan, where it is usually romanized as "Lee". 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: Li

Vietnamese

Li or Lee ([lì]; Chinese: 李; pinyin: Lǐ) is a common Chinese surname; it is the fourth name listed in the famous Hundred Family Surnames. Li is one of the most common surnames in Asia, shared by 92.76 million people in China, and more than 100 million in Asia. It is the second-most common surname in China as of 2018, the second-most common surname in Hong Kong, the most common surname in Macau and the 5th most common surname in Taiwan, where it is usually romanized as "Lee".

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 Li

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 Li:

8

Expression Number

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

6

Soul Urge Number

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

2

Personality Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

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 Li?: The surname Li originates from Vietnamese. Li or Lee ([lì]; Chinese: 李; pinyin: Lǐ) is a common Chinese surname; it is the fourth name listed in the famous Hundred Family Surnames. Li is one of the most common surnames in Asia, shared by 92.76 million people in China, and more than 100 million in Asia. It is the second-most common surname in China as of 2018, the second-most common surname in Hong Kong, the most common surname in Macau and the 5th most common surname in Taiwan, where it is usually romanized as "Lee".
What are the origins of the name Thelma Li?: The name Thelma Li combines two different traditions: the first name Thelma has Greek roots, while the surname Li originates from Vietnamese.