"rose island (geographic reference to Rhodes)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Rhoda
Pronunciation: [ r-OHD-uh ]
Girl Name
#2,848 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A Greek rose with a New Testament cameo
Greek
English
Biblical
Jewish
Vintage
Classic
Literary
Gentle
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Rhoda
Rhoda derives from the ancient Greek word rhodon meaning rose. It is the name of the island of Rhodes, which in Greek mythology was said to be named after the sea nymph Rhode, herself associated with roses. The name appears in the New Testament, where Rhoda is a servant girl in the Acts of the Apostles who announces Peter's arrival after his miraculous release from prison — making it one of the few female names recorded in Acts.
Rhoda was a popular name in the United States from the late 19th century through the 1960s, often associated with a simple, wholesome femininity. The sitcom Rhoda (1974-1978), starring Valerie Harper as a spinoff character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, gave the name a warm, funny, urban personality that endeared it to a generation.
In the New Testament, Rhoda is a minor but memorable character — her excited announcement that Peter stood at the door, only to be disbelieved, has made her a symbol of disregarded truth. In Greek culture, the rose (rhodon) has been the queen of flowers since antiquity, associated with Aphrodite.
Fun Facts
- Rhoda appears in Acts 12:13 of the New Testament — one of few female servants named in the Bible
- The island of Rhodes is named from the same Greek root as Rhoda
- The TV character Rhoda Morgenstern was one of television's first realistic portrayals of a single Jewish woman navigating modern life
Rhoda in Other Languages
Greek
Ρόδα
Latin
Rhoda
French
Rhoda
Hebrew
רוֹדָה
Spanish
Roda
Famous People Named Rhoda
R
Rhoda Broughton
Writer
1840
Welsh Victorian novelist known for her satirical and witty novels about women in society
R
Rhoda
Other
Biblical servant girl in Acts of the Apostles who joyfully announced Peter's miraculous release from prison, one of the ...
Biblical servant girl in Acts of the Apostles who joyfully announced Peter's miraculous release from prison, one of the few named female servants in the New Testament
R
Rhoda Morgenstern Fictional
Other
Fictional character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff Rhoda (1974-1978), played by Valerie Harper; a belove...
Fictional character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff Rhoda (1974-1978), played by Valerie Harper; a beloved New York fashion designer known for her wit
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,848
- Total SSA Count
- 58
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Biblical Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ro
Rho
Pairs Well With
Rhoda Grace
Rhoda Ann
Rhoda Elizabeth
Rhoda Marie
Rhoda Jean
Rhoda Louise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Rhoda is also used as a boy name, ranked #29398.
View Rhoda as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rhoda
What does the name Rhoda mean?
"rose island (geographic reference to Rhodes)" (from Greek). Rhoda derives from the ancient Greek word rhodon meaning rose. It is the name of the island of Rhodes, which in Greek mythology was said to be named after the sea nymph Rhode, herself associated with roses. The name appears in the New Testament, where Rhoda is a servant girl in the Acts of the Apostles who announces Peter's arrival after his miraculous release from prison — making it one of the few female names recorded in Acts.
What is the origin of the name Rhoda?
Rhoda has Greek, English, Biblical, and Jewish origins. In Greek, it means "rose island (geographic reference to Rhodes)".
Is Rhoda a boy or girl name?
Rhoda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2848. As a boy name, it is ranked #29398. Rhoda is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rhoda?
Rhoda is pronounced r-OHD-uh.
How popular is the name Rhoda?
Rhoda is currently ranked #2848 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rhoda?
Common nicknames for Rhoda include Ro and Rho.
What are good middle names for Rhoda?
Popular middle name pairings include Rhoda Grace, Rhoda Ann, Rhoda Elizabeth, Rhoda Marie, Rhoda Jean, and Rhoda Louise.
What are good sibling names for Rhoda?
Names that pair well with Rhoda as siblings include Vera, Mildred, Ethel, Dorothy, Phyllis, Irene, and Clyde.
How many syllables does Rhoda have?
Rhoda has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rhoda a common or rare name?
Rhoda is an uncommon name, ranked #2848 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Rhoda
Rhoda is a girl name with Greek, English, Biblical, and Jewish origins . The name means "rose island (geographic reference to Rhodes)" in Greek .
Is Rhoda a boy or girl name? Rhoda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,848 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,398. Rhoda is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rhoda is currently ranked #2,848 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rhoda has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OHD-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Rhoda include Ro and Rho. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Rhoda include Rhodes . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.