Anthea Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: an-THEE-uh /ænˈθiːə/
Origin: Greek; English
Meaning: Greek: flower; English: praise
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Anthea has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "anthos," meaning "flower." The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Greek goddess Antheia, who was associated with flowers and the spring season, embodying the beauty and fertility of nature. This connection to flora and growth contributed to the name's appeal in classical antiquity.
The name entered the English language through Latin, where it was adopted as "Anthea" during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of interest in classical culture and literature. Historically, Anthea has been referenced in various literary works, particularly during the 17th century, when it appeared in the poetry of figures such as John Milton and Robert Herrick.
These poets often invoked classical themes and mythological figures, which helped to solidify the name's association with beauty and nature. Additionally, the name appears in the context of the King James Bible, where floral imagery is frequently employed, further intertwining the name with themes of growth and renewal.
Culturally, Anthea has been celebrated for its symbolic resonance, representing not only the beauty of flowers but also the nurturing aspects of femininity and the natural world. The name has been used in various artistic expressions, including literature and painting, often evoking pastoral scenes and idyllic landscapes.
A diminutive form, "Thea," is also historically relevant, derived from the Greek word for "goddess" or "divine," which enhances the name's ethereal quality. Overall, Anthea's enduring appeal can be attributed to its rich etymological roots and the cultural significance it has garnered through centuries.
Famous people named Anthea
In this section, you will find notable people named Anthea. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Anthea who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Anthea who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Anthea Turner is a television presenter best known for GMTV, Anthea and Dec, and The Big Breakfast.
Anthea Bell is a translator best known for her translations of works by Georges Simenon and Asterix.
Fictional characters named Anthea
The following list of fictional characters named Anthea is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Anthea is a fictional character from the novel The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson. She is a young girl who embarks on a magical adventure to rescue a kidnapped prince.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Anthea, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Anthea. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Anthea was first seen in the United States in 1932.
Anthea has ranked as high as #7431 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Anthea has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Anthea is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Anthea was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Anthea.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 9 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015 | 11 | 11 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 |
| 2013 | 9 | 9 |
| 2012 | 5 | 5 |
| 2011 | 8 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 |
| 2008 | 9 | 9 |
| 2007 | 9 | 9 |
| 2006 | 11 | 11 |
| 2005 | 12 | 12 |
| 2004 | 18 | 18 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 |
| 2002 | 9 | 9 |
| 2001 | 11 | 11 |
| 2000 | 18 | 18 |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 |
| 1998 | 10 | 10 |
| 1997 | 9 | 9 |
| 1996 | 11 | 11 |
| 1995 | 10 | 10 |
| 1994 | 13 | 13 |
| 1993 | 11 | 11 |
| 1992 | 10 | 10 |
| 1991 | 11 | 11 |
| 1990 | 20 | 20 |
| 1989 | 12 | 12 |
| 1988 | 17 | 17 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 |
| 1985 | 12 | 12 |
| 1984 | 12 | 12 |
| 1983 | 17 | 17 |
| 1982 | 18 | 18 |
| 1981 | 18 | 18 |
| 1980 | 16 | 16 |
| 1979 | 13 | 13 |
| 1978 | 17 | 17 |
| 1977 | 18 | 18 |
| 1976 | 10 | 10 |
| 1975 | 13 | 13 |
| 1974 | 15 | 15 |
| 1973 | 16 | 16 |
| 1972 | 8 | 8 |
| 1971 | 12 | 12 |
| 1970 | 9 | 9 |
| 1969 | 14 | 14 |
| 1968 | 11 | 11 |
| 1967 | 14 | 14 |
| 1966 | 8 | 8 |
| 1965 | 9 | 9 |
| 1964 | 10 | 10 |
| 1963 | 9 | 9 |
| 1962 | 7 | 7 |
| 1961 | 11 | 11 |
| 1960 | 14 | 14 |
| 1959 | 14 | 14 |
| 1958 | 8 | 8 |
| 1956 | 6 | 6 |
| 1955 | 6 | 6 |
| 1954 | 7 | 7 |
| 1953 | 8 | 8 |
| 1948 | 6 | 6 |
| 1947 | 10 | 10 |
| 1932 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Anthea (2019)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 |