Tea

♀ Girl

Pronounced TAY-ah /ˈteɪ.ə/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Dorothea/Theodora — from Greek, 'gift of God' (theos, 'God', + doron, 'gift'); also linked to the word tea; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Gift of God: Tea is a short form of Dorothea/Theodora. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'TAY-ah').

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningA short form of Dorothea/Theodora — from Greek, 'gift of God' (theos, 'God', + doron, 'gift'); also linked to the word tea; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#10042 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1998

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,493

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Tea is a short form of Dorothea/Theodora — from Greek, 'gift of God' (theos, 'God', + doron, 'gift'); it is also linked to the word tea (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (popular in the Balkans; said 'TAY-ah').

In the U.S. it appears across Balkan and Italian families. Rare, gift-of-God at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Dorothea and Theodora both mean 'gift of God' in Greek (theos, 'God', + doron, 'gift') — Tea is a short form (also linked to the word tea), crisp and modern (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'TAY-ah').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Thea — routes layered

Variations

TheaTeahTia

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Tea…

Thea— a kin spelling

Tia— a sound-neighbor short girls' name

Mia— a fellow short girls' name

Lea— another short girls' name

Explore names like Tea

By themeuncertain greek unisex

By meaningGod / Divine Gift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tea mean?

Tea is a short form of Dorothea/Theodora — Greek 'gift of God'; also linked to the word tea; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Tea?

It's said TAY-ah /ˈteɪ.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tea a boy or girl name?

Tea is a girl's name.

How popular is Tea?

Tea is a rare name in the U.S.