Thea

♀ Girl

Pronounced THEE-ah /ˈθiː.ə/High

Meaning: Short form of names ending in -thea such as Dorothea (gift of God) or Theodora (divine gift), from Greek 'theos' (God) and 'doron' (gift). Also the name of a Greek Titaness goddess.High

In 30 seconds: Thea is a radiant Greek short form meaning 'goddess' or 'divine gift'. In Greek mythology, Thea was the Titaness of sight and the shining light of the sky — a name of luminous, celestial simplicity.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningShort form of names ending in -thea such as Dorothea (gift of God) or Theodora (divine gift), from Greek 'theos' (God) and 'doron' (gift). Also the name of a Greek Titaness goddess.

U.S. rank (2025)#353 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births867 girls (0.05% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 20,104

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Thea functions as both a standalone name and a short form of longer Greek names including Dorothea (gift of God), Theodora (divine gift), and Althea (healing). The Greek root theos means god or divine, and Theia was a Titaness in Hesiod's Theogony, the personification of sight and luminous light. The name has been used in Scandinavia and Germany as a short form since the nineteenth century.

Thea has been growing rapidly in the English-speaking world since the 2010s, appealing to parents who want a short, elegant Greek name with strong mythological roots. It is particularly popular in Norway, Denmark, and Germany, where it has long charted highly. In the United States it entered the top 300 girls' names and continues to climb, appreciated for its minimal beauty and maximum depth.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, Theia (the full form) was one of the twelve Titans — the goddess of sight and the mother of Helios (the Sun), Selene (the Moon), and Eos (the Dawn) — making her the divine mother of the three great lights of the sky.

Overall data confidence 92%

Hesiod. Theogony — Ancient Greek source for Theia as a TitanessBehind the Name: Thea — Short form history and European popularity

Variations

TheiaTeaTia

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Theia (Greek mythology) (ancient)
Titaness of sight and mother of Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon), and Eos (Dawn) in Hesiod's Theogony.

If you like Thea…

Cleo— two-syllable Greek short name with the same mythological weight and radiant feminine quality

Rhea— two-syllable Greek Titaness name with the same ancient mythological resonance and minimal elegance

Zoe— two-syllable Greek name meaning 'life' with the same crisp, luminous modern Greek appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Thea mean?

Thea means 'goddess' or 'divine gift', from Greek theos (God), and names the Titaness of sight and mother of the sun, moon, and dawn.

How do you pronounce Thea?

Thea is pronounced THEE-ah (/ˈθiː.ə/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Thea a boy or girl name?

Thea is a girl's name.

How popular is Thea?

Thea has entered the US top 300 girls' names and is in the top 10 in Norway and Denmark, rising rapidly.