Theodora Girl

Popularity: #581 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

TheodoreDorotheaIsadoraEudoraAdoraCassandraMiranda

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.

TheodosiusDorotheaAltheaLeandraSelenaOctaviaClaudiaEleanor

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Theodora has ranked as high as #1318 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 384 0 384
2024 346 0 346
2023 363 0 363
2022 426 0 426
2021 387 0 387
2020 328 0 328
2019 314 0 314
2018 159 0 159
2017 107 0 107
2016 108 0 108
2015 81 0 81
2014 85 0 85
2013 96 0 96
2012 68 0 68
2011 61 0 61
2010 47 0 47
2009 45 0 45
2008 41 0 41
2007 47 0 47
2006 49 0 49
2005 41 0 41
2004 44 0 44
2003 52 0 52
2002 47 0 47
2001 37 0 37
2000 44 0 44
1999 48 0 48
1998 52 0 52
1997 33 0 33
1996 46 0 46
1995 54 0 54
1994 49 0 49
1993 58 0 58
1992 42 0 42
1991 36 0 36
1990 39 0 39
1989 42 0 42
1988 41 0 41
1987 49 0 49
1986 51 0 51
1985 49 0 49
1984 40 0 40
1983 42 0 42
1982 38 0 38
1981 35 0 35
1980 41 0 41
1979 29 0 29
1978 30 0 30
1977 37 0 37
1976 42 0 42
1975 46 0 46
1974 50 0 50
1973 54 0 54
1972 55 0 55
1971 52 0 52
1970 41 0 41
1969 56 0 56
1968 43 0 43
1967 69 0 69
1966 70 0 70
1965 63 0 63
1964 85 0 85
1963 75 0 75
1962 83 0 83
1961 88 0 88
1960 83 0 83
1959 110 0 110
1958 90 0 90
1957 91 6 85
1956 104 0 104
1955 100 0 100
1954 102 0 102
1953 117 0 117
1952 125 0 125
1951 104 0 104
1950 104 0 104
1949 134 0 134
1948 131 0 131
1947 143 0 143
1946 125 0 125
1945 142 0 142
1944 140 0 140
1943 141 0 141
1942 189 0 189
1941 140 0 140
1940 126 0 126
1939 138 7 131
1938 146 0 146
1937 167 0 167
1936 60 0 60
1935 86 0 86
1934 87 5 82
1933 90 0 90
1932 115 0 115
1931 108 0 108
1930 114 0 114
1929 141 0 141
1928 155 5 150
1927 162 6 156
1926 136 5 131
1925 153 0 153
1924 177 0 177
1923 158 0 158
1922 172 0 172
1921 184 0 184
1920 180 5 175
1919 133 0 133
1918 166 0 166
1917 134 5 129
1916 122 0 122
1915 134 5 129
1914 78 0 78
1913 87 0 87
1912 60 0 60
1911 50 0 50
1910 40 0 40
1909 42 0 42
1908 52 0 52
1907 37 0 37
1906 41 0 41
1905 40 0 40
1904 39 0 39
1903 24 0 24
1902 24 0 24
1901 19 0 19
1900 24 0 24
1899 16 0 16
1898 29 0 29
1897 20 0 20
1896 21 0 21
1895 28 0 28
1894 20 0 20
1893 15 0 15
1892 22 0 22
1891 23 0 23
1890 26 0 26
1889 18 0 18
1888 18 0 18
1887 12 0 12
1886 8 0 8
1885 18 0 18
1884 6 0 6
1883 11 0 11
1881 5 0 5
1880 11 0 11

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. 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
NY 32
11%
CA 27
9%
TX 25
8%
PA 22
7%
IL 17
6%
FL 13
4%
WA 13
4%
OH 13
4%
MA 12
4%
WI 11
4%
NC 10
3%
NJ 10
3%
IN 8
3%
VA 8
3%
CO 8
3%
GA 7
2%
MO 7
2%
TN 7
2%
AZ 7
2%
MN 6
2%
OR 6
2%
NE 6
2%
MD 6
2%
KS 5
2%
KY 5
2%
OK 5
2%
MI 5
2%