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Thekla
How to Pronounce Thekla
Pronounced THEK-luh /หฮธษk.lษ/Medium
Meaning: Thekla comes from the Greek Theokleia, joining 'theos' ('god') and 'kleos' ('glory, fame') - so 'glory of God.' It was borne by Saint Thecla, a first-century follower of the apostle Paul honored in early Christian tradition, which carried the name through Europe.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880โpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Thekla comes from the Greek Theokleia, 'glory of God,' from 'theos' and 'kleos.' It was the name of Saint Thecla, a first-century follower of Paul whose story made her one of the most venerated women of the early church. The name traveled with Greek and German families to America, where it stayed rare and old, most seen around the turn of the twentieth century before dwindling.
A Thekla from its American heyday would belong to a great-grandmother's or earlier generation. Its firm two-beat sound and 'th' opening set it apart; it sits beside Thea, Cleo, and Dorothea in feel, and it reads as antique and saintly rather than reviving.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Thekla mean?
Thekla means 'glory of God,' from the Greek theos ('god') and kleos ('glory').
How do you pronounce Thekla?
It is said THEK-luh, two syllables with the stress on the first.
Is Thekla a boy or a girl name?
Thekla is a girl's name, borne by Saint Thecla.
Is Thekla a popular name?
No. Thekla has always been rare in the United States, seen most around the turn of the twentieth century.