Thelma

Thelma is a feminine given name. Its exact origin is uncertain, and the name first appears in English-language sources in the late 19th or early 20th century. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century in many English-speaking countries and has since been used in diverse cultures and languages.

Notable bearers of the name include Thelma Todd, an American actress of the silent film era; Thelma Ritter, an American character actress known for supporting roles in mid-20th-century cinema; Thelma Schoonmaker, an American film editor and multiple Academy Award winner; and Thelma Golden, an American curator who has led the Studio Museum in Harlem. In addition to real people, Thelma has appeared as a given name for fictional characters in various works.

In popular culture, Thelma Dickinson is a central character in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise, written by call-and-response with director Ridley Scott. The film follows two women on a road trip that becomes a broader meditation on female friendship and autonomy, contributing to Thelma’s association with resilience and independence in modern media.

Today Thelma remains in use as a given name, often viewed as having vintage or classic connotations. While its popularity has fluctuated over time, the name continues to appear in literature, film, and everyday life, reflecting broad cultural engagement with traditional naming.