"gift of God"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Theodora
Pronunciation: [ th-ee-uhd-AWR-uh ]
Does Theodora flow with your last name?
A regal Greek classic meaning gift of God
Greek
English
Byzantine
Eastern European
Classic
Elegant
Royal
Literary
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"divine gift"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Theodora
Theodora comes from the Greek elements theos (God) and doron (gift), making it the feminine form of Theodore. The name flourished in the Byzantine Empire, most famously carried by Empress Theodora, wife of Justinian I in the 6th century, who rose from obscurity to become one of the most powerful women in Byzantine history.
Theodora is enjoying a quiet revival as parents seek elaborate, vintage names with charming nicknames. Its association with royalty — including Princess Theodora of Greece — adds to its aristocratic appeal.
In Greek Orthodox tradition, Theodora is a name of deep religious significance. Empress Theodora is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, celebrated on February 11th.
Historical Record
Theodora first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,497 babies have been named Theodora in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Theodora is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #812 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Empress Theodora of Byzantium was the first ruler in the world to recognize the rights of women in divorce
- Theodora is an anagram of Adore That
Theodora in Other Languages
Greek
Θεοδώρα
German
Theodora
Italian
Teodora
Russian
Феодора
Spanish
Teodora
Popularity Over Time
#812
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Theodora
E
Empress Theodora
Royalty
500
Byzantine empress and wife of Justinian I, one of the most powerful women in late antiquity
T
Theodora Crain Fictional
Other
Fictional character from the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House
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Compare Theodora with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #812
- Total SSA Count
- 343
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Byzantine Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Teddy
Thea
Dora
Theo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Theodora
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Theodora is also used as a boy name, ranked #19667.
View Theodora as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Theodora
What does the name Theodora mean?
"gift of God" (from Greek). "divine gift" (from Greek). Theodora comes from the Greek elements theos (God) and doron (gift), making it the feminine form of Theodore. The name flourished in the Byzantine Empire, most famously carried by Empress Theodora, wife of Justinian I in the 6th century, who rose from obscurity to become one of the most powerful women in Byzantine history.
What is the origin of the name Theodora?
Theodora has Greek, English, Byzantine, and Eastern European origins. In Greek, it means "gift of God". In Greek, it means "divine gift".
Is Theodora a boy or girl name?
Theodora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #812. As a boy name, it is ranked #19667. Theodora is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Theodora?
Theodora is pronounced th-ee-uhd-AWR-uh.
How popular is the name Theodora?
Theodora is currently ranked #812 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Theodora?
Common nicknames for Theodora include Teddy, Thea, Dora, and Theo.
What are good middle names for Theodora?
Popular middle name pairings include Theodora Rose, Theodora Mae, Theodora Jane, Theodora Claire, Theodora Louise, Theodora Grace, and Theodora Anne.
What are good sibling names for Theodora?
Names that pair well with Theodora as siblings include Sebastian, Eleanor, Maximilian, Josephine, Cornelius, and Augusta.
How many syllables does Theodora have?
Theodora has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Theodora a common or rare name?
Theodora is moderately common, ranked #812 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Theodora?
About the Name Theodora
Theodora is a girl name with Greek, English, Byzantine, and Eastern European origins . The name means "gift of God" in Greek .
Is Theodora a boy or girl name? Theodora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #812 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,667. Theodora is more commonly used as a girl name.
Theodora is currently ranked #812 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Theodora has 4 syllables and is pronounced th-ee-uhd-AWR-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Theodora include Teddy, Thea, Dora, and Theo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Theodora include Theo, Theodosia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis