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Home › Baby Names Directory › Theda

Theda

♀ Girl

Pronounced THEE-duh /ˈθiː.də/High

Meaning: A short form of Theodora, from Greek theos ('God') and doron ('gift') — 'gift of God.' Famous through silent-film star Theda Bara.Medium

In 30 seconds: Theda is a short form of Theodora, 'gift of God'; think star Theda Bara (said 'THEE-duh').
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Origin MediumGreek, German
MeaningA short form of Theodora, from Greek theos ('God') and doron ('gift') — 'gift of God.' Famous through silent-film star Theda Bara.
U.S. rank (2021)#17444 ↘ Falling
2021 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1919
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,556

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191918802021

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

Theda is a short form of Theodora, from the Greek for 'gift of God.' Its brief vogue owed much to the silent-film star Theda Bara; it crested around 1919 and then faded, now a vintage movie-era name.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Theda now reads as an early-century name.

Did you know? Theda peaked around 1919, its allure tied to silent-film vamp Theda Bara, then faded.
Overall data confidence 74%
References — Theda — Short form of Theodora; Theda Bara

Variations

TheodoraThedieTheta

Nicknames

Thea

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Theda…

Theodora— the parent name Theda shortens
Thea— a like short Theo- name
Freda— a like early-century -da name
Frieda— another German name
Wanda— another vintage pick

Explore names like Theda

By themevintagegreek-root1910s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Theda mean?

Theda is a short form of Theodora, from the Greek for 'gift of God.'

How do you pronounce Theda?

It's said THEE-duh /ˈθiː.də/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Theda a boy or girl name?

Theda is used as a girl's name.

Is Theda making a comeback?

Not notably — it's an early-twentieth-century favorite that has been rare for generations, a vintage movie-era name.

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