Baby name
Telma
/TEL · mah/
Meaning
“Literary invention, no old meaning”
Scandinavian and Brazilian form of Thelma, invented by Marie Corelli for her 1887 novel Thelma: A Norwegian Princess; no ancient etymology.
How it ages.
Literary origin gives it a romantic backstory; ages as a sweet mid-century name in Lusophone countries.
The cultural moment.
Common in Brazil and Portugal through the mid-20th century; declining but still used.