Theodora Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: thee-OD-or-uh //θiˈɔːdərə//
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Greek: gift of God; Latin: divine gift
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Theodora has its roots in the Greek language, derived from the elements "theos," meaning "god," and "doron," meaning "gift." Thus, Theodora can be interpreted as "gift of God." The name was adopted into Latin as Theodora and subsequently made its way into various languages, including English, through the influence of the Byzantine Empire and the spread of Christianity. Theodora has been used in various forms across cultures, but its core meaning has remained consistent throughout its history.
Historically, Theodora is notably associated with several prominent figures, including Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire, who reigned in the 6th century. She was the wife of Emperor Justinian I and played a significant role in the political and social reforms of the empire.
Her influence is documented in various historical texts, including Procopius's "Secret History," which provides insight into her life and the power dynamics of the time. The name also appears in early Christian texts, where it was borne by several saints, further solidifying its religious significance.
Culturally, Theodora has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and divine favor. The name has been used in literature and art, reflecting its enduring appeal across centuries.
In addition to its historical figures, Theodora has inspired various diminutive forms, such as Dora, which have also found their place in different cultures. The name's rich etymological background and historical associations contribute to its lasting resonance in the cultural and religious landscape.
Famous people named Theodora
In this section, you will find notable people named Theodora. 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 Theodora who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Theodora 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.
Theodora is a Byzantine empress best known for her influential role in the reign of Justinian I, the construction of the Hagia Sophia, and her advocacy for women's rights.
Fictional characters named Theodora
The following list of fictional characters named Theodora 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.
Theodora is a fictional character from the novel and film The Wizard of Oz. She is a good witch who helps Dorothy on her journey to return home.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Theodora, 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 Theodora. 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 Theodora was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Theodora has ranked as high as #973 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
In the past 5 years the name Theodora has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Theodora 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 Theodora was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Theodora (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 32 | |
| CA | 27 | |
| TX | 25 | |
| PA | 22 | |
| IL | 17 | |
| WA | 13 | |
| OH | 13 | |
| FL | 13 | |
| MA | 12 | |
| WI | 11 | |
| NC | 10 | |
| NJ | 10 | |
| CO | 8 | |
| IN | 8 | |
| VA | 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 Theodora.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 343 |
| 2023 | 363 |
| 2022 | 426 |
| 2021 | 387 |
| 2020 | 328 |
| 2019 | 314 |
| 2018 | 159 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2016 | 108 |
| 2015 | 81 |
| 2014 | 85 |
| 2013 | 96 |
| 2012 | 68 |
| 2011 | 61 |
| 2010 | 47 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2007 | 47 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2004 | 44 |
| 2003 | 52 |
| 2002 | 47 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 1999 | 48 |
| 1998 | 52 |
| 1997 | 33 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1995 | 54 |
| 1994 | 49 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1992 | 42 |
| 1991 | 36 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1989 | 42 |
| 1988 | 41 |
| 1987 | 49 |
| 1986 | 51 |
| 1985 | 49 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1983 | 42 |
| 1982 | 38 |
| 1981 | 35 |
| 1980 | 41 |
| 1979 | 29 |
| 1978 | 30 |
| 1977 | 37 |
| 1976 | 42 |
| 1975 | 46 |
| 1974 | 50 |
| 1973 | 54 |
| 1972 | 55 |
| 1971 | 52 |
| 1970 | 41 |
| 1969 | 56 |
| 1968 | 43 |
| 1967 | 69 |
| 1966 | 70 |
| 1965 | 63 |
| 1964 | 85 |
| 1963 | 75 |
| 1962 | 83 |
| 1961 | 88 |
| 1960 | 83 |
| 1959 | 110 |
| 1958 | 90 |
| 1957 | 85 |
| 1956 | 104 |
| 1955 | 100 |
| 1954 | 102 |
| 1953 | 117 |
| 1952 | 125 |
| 1951 | 104 |
| 1950 | 104 |
| 1949 | 134 |
| 1948 | 131 |
| 1947 | 143 |
| 1946 | 125 |
| 1945 | 142 |
| 1944 | 140 |
| 1943 | 141 |
| 1942 | 189 |
| 1941 | 140 |
| 1940 | 126 |
| 1939 | 131 |
| 1938 | 146 |
| 1937 | 167 |
| 1936 | 60 |
| 1935 | 86 |
| 1934 | 82 |
| 1933 | 90 |
| 1932 | 115 |
| 1931 | 108 |
| 1930 | 114 |
| 1929 | 141 |
| 1928 | 150 |
| 1927 | 156 |
| 1926 | 131 |
| 1925 | 153 |
| 1924 | 177 |
| 1923 | 158 |
| 1922 | 172 |
| 1921 | 184 |
| 1920 | 175 |
| 1919 | 133 |
| 1918 | 166 |
| 1917 | 129 |
| 1916 | 122 |
| 1915 | 129 |
| 1914 | 78 |
| 1913 | 87 |
| 1912 | 60 |
| 1911 | 50 |
| 1910 | 40 |
| 1909 | 42 |
| 1908 | 52 |
| 1907 | 37 |
| 1906 | 41 |
| 1905 | 40 |
| 1904 | 39 |
| 1903 | 24 |
| 1902 | 24 |
| 1901 | 19 |
| 1900 | 24 |
| 1899 | 16 |
| 1898 | 29 |
| 1897 | 20 |
| 1896 | 21 |
| 1895 | 28 |
| 1894 | 20 |
| 1893 | 15 |
| 1892 | 22 |
| 1891 | 23 |
| 1890 | 26 |
| 1889 | 18 |
| 1888 | 18 |
| 1887 | 12 |
| 1886 | 8 |
| 1885 | 18 |
| 1884 | 6 |
| 1883 | 11 |
| 1881 | 5 |
| 1880 | 11 |