Teyla Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TAY-lah //ˈteɪ.lə//
Origin: Greek; Native American
Meaning: from Greek: 'healer'; from Native American: 'the one who is a leader'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Teyla is believed to have roots in the ancient Greek name Theodora, which is derived from the Greek words "theos" meaning "god" and "doron" meaning "gift." This etymological lineage suggests a literal meaning of "gift of God." The name Theodora was adopted into Latin as Theodora, which later influenced various forms in different languages, including the modern English adaptations. The transition into English likely occurred through the influence of the Byzantine Empire and the spread of Christianity, where names of saints and significant figures were often translated and adapted.
Historically, Theodora has been borne by several notable figures, including Byzantine Empress Theodora, who lived in the 6th century and was known for her intelligence and political acumen. The name has also been associated with various saints, particularly Saint Theodora of Alexandria, who is celebrated in the Christian tradition.
The use of Theodora in religious texts, including translations of the Bible, helped to cement its place in Christian nomenclature, with various forms appearing in different cultures over the centuries. Culturally, names derived from Theodora have often been associated with strength, divine favor, and benevolence.
The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, reflecting a common reverence for the divine gift concept. In some contexts, diminutives such as Dora or Thea have emerged, further illustrating the name's adaptability and enduring appeal.
Teyla, as a modern derivative, captures the essence of its historical roots while offering a unique identity that resonates with the themes of grace and divine blessing.
Famous people named Teyla
In this section, you will find notable people named Teyla. 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 Teyla who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Teyla 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.
Teyla Emmagan is a fictional character best known for her role in the television series Stargate Atlantis.
Fictional characters named Teyla
The following list of fictional characters named Teyla 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.
Teyla Emmagan is a fictional character from the TV series Stargate Atlantis. She is a skilled warrior and leader of the Athosians who becomes a key member of the Atlantis expedition team.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Teyla, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Teyla was first seen in the United States in 2004.
Teyla has ranked as high as #1369 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Teyla has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Teyla 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 Teyla was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Teyla (2010)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 |
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 Teyla.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2004 | 6 |