Rhoda Girl

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROH-duh //ˈroʊdə//

Origin: Hebrew; Greek

Meaning: Hebrew: 'a friend'; Greek: 'rose'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rhoda has its roots in ancient languages, tracing back to the Greek word "rhodon," which means "rose." This etymology reflects a connection to nature and beauty, as the rose is often associated with love and femininity. The name entered the English language through the Latin form "Rhodas," which was derived from the Greek.

The transition into English occurred during the early medieval period, influenced by the spread of Christianity and the translation of biblical texts. Historically, Rhoda is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts, where she is noted as a servant girl who recognized Peter after his miraculous escape from prison.

This reference, dating back to the 1st century CE, highlights her role in an important biblical narrative, contributing to the name's significance in Christian tradition. Over the centuries, Rhoda has been borne by various notable figures, including saints and early Christian martyrs, further embedding the name within religious and cultural contexts.

Culturally, the name Rhoda has been associated with themes of hospitality and recognition, stemming from its biblical roots. In literature and art, the rose has often symbolized beauty and virtue, which may have contributed to the name's enduring appeal.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Rhodie" have emerged, reflecting affectionate or familial connections. Overall, Rhoda encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage, historical importance, and cultural symbolism, making it a name with rich connotations.

Famous people named Rhoda

In this section, you will find notable people named Rhoda. 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 Rhoda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Rhoda 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.

Rhoda Morgenstern is a fictional character best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda.

Rhoda Kadalie is a human rights activist best known for her work in South Africa and advocacy for women's rights.

Fictional characters named Rhoda

The following list of fictional characters named Rhoda 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.

Rhoda Morgenstern is a fictional character from the TV series Rhoda. She is a strong-willed and independent woman navigating life and relationships in New York City.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rhoda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MiriamNaomiEstherLeahHannahRebecca

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rhoda. 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.

RheaRosaRinaRomyRochelle

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rhoda was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Rhoda has ranked as high as #520 nationally, which occurred in 1926, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Rhoda has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rhoda 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 Rhoda 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 Rhoda.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 47 0 47
2024 59 0 59
2023 48 0 48
2022 51 0 51
2021 57 0 57
2020 46 0 46
2019 46 0 46
2018 47 0 47
2017 43 0 43
2016 52 0 52
2015 48 0 48
2014 41 0 41
2013 38 0 38
2012 33 0 33
2011 32 0 32
2010 50 0 50
2009 35 0 35
2008 43 0 43
2007 33 0 33
2006 36 0 36
2005 37 0 37
2004 45 0 45
2003 34 0 34
2002 36 0 36
2001 39 0 39
2000 41 0 41
1999 42 0 42
1998 42 0 42
1997 50 0 50
1996 39 0 39
1995 34 0 34
1994 30 0 30
1993 36 0 36
1992 37 0 37
1991 58 0 58
1990 48 0 48
1989 42 0 42
1988 35 0 35
1987 32 0 32
1986 53 0 53
1985 49 0 49
1984 53 0 53
1983 47 0 47
1982 56 0 56
1981 68 0 68
1980 75 0 75
1979 76 0 76
1978 80 0 80
1977 95 0 95
1976 115 0 115
1975 182 0 182
1974 162 0 162
1973 132 0 132
1972 128 0 128
1971 129 0 129
1970 116 0 116
1969 132 0 132
1968 143 0 143
1967 161 0 161
1966 234 0 234
1965 226 0 226
1964 220 0 220
1963 189 0 189
1962 181 0 181
1961 212 0 212
1960 227 0 227
1959 259 0 259
1958 264 0 264
1957 356 0 356
1956 241 0 241
1955 239 0 239
1954 233 0 233
1953 253 0 253
1952 230 0 230
1951 262 0 262
1950 278 0 278
1949 271 0 271
1948 251 0 251
1947 287 0 287
1946 271 0 271
1945 227 0 227
1944 276 0 276
1943 306 0 306
1942 331 0 331
1941 284 0 284
1940 315 0 315
1939 348 0 348
1938 360 0 360
1937 341 0 341
1936 376 0 376
1935 405 0 405
1934 425 0 425
1933 378 0 378
1932 420 0 420
1931 486 0 486
1930 497 0 497
1929 483 0 483
1928 504 0 504
1927 460 5 455
1926 547 0 547
1925 514 0 514
1924 503 0 503
1923 436 0 436
1922 463 0 463
1921 430 0 430
1920 421 0 421
1919 420 0 420
1918 433 0 433
1917 345 0 345
1916 385 0 385
1915 385 0 385
1914 266 0 266
1913 189 0 189
1912 189 0 189
1911 161 0 161
1910 170 0 170
1909 136 0 136
1908 108 0 108
1907 138 0 138
1906 132 0 132
1905 145 0 145
1904 116 0 116
1903 122 0 122
1902 152 0 152
1901 125 0 125
1900 151 0 151
1899 127 0 127
1898 148 0 148
1897 134 7 127
1896 130 0 130
1895 136 0 136
1894 136 0 136
1893 136 0 136
1892 140 0 140
1891 138 0 138
1890 138 0 138
1889 148 0 148
1888 130 0 130
1887 104 0 104
1886 114 0 114
1885 106 0 106
1884 93 0 93
1883 93 0 93
1882 79 0 79
1881 84 0 84
1880 73 0 73

Top States for Rhoda (2024)

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
PA 14
67%
OH 7
33%