Thurma
A girl's name of Old Norse origin with 67 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Thurma is a two-syllable girl's name with a open, warm sound — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. With only 67 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Thurma is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Thurma is a girl's baby name of Old Norse origin, likely a feminine form of Thurman — derived from the Old Norse Þórmundr, meaning 'Thor's protection.' It belongs to the cluster of Thor-derived names popular among Scandinavian Americans.
Thurma carries the rugged dignity of Norse mythology softened into a feminine form — rare today but carrying a strong sense of heritage for families with Scandinavian roots.
EtymologyShow more
Thurma is cataloged under the Old Norse naming tradition. Names from the Old Norse tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Thurma has been recorded as a girl's name since 1915, with 67 total births. Browse the Old Norse names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thurma has 12+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 8 | #4452 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #5184 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 22 | #4660 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 26 | #5521 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | #4217 | — |
The Story of Thurma
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1952, Thurma is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Thurma are most likely born between 1942 and 1952.
How rare is Thurma?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Thurma is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, peaked in the 1920s with 26 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Thurma by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(12 years, 1915–1952)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 8 | #4452 |
| 1944 | 5 | #5184 |
| 1939 | 5 | #4888 |
| 1936 | 5 | #4798 |
| 1934 | 7 | #3771 |
| 1930 | 5 | #5182 |
| 1928 | 5 | #5360 |
| 1924 | 5 | #5813 |
| 1922 | 5 | #5710 |
| 1921 | 6 | #5041 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5681 |
| 1915 | 6 | #4217 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thurma a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thurma most popular?
How popular is the name Thurma?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–1952