Find out how popular the first name Dedra has been for the last 34 years (from 1974 to 2007) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dedra by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Dedra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2007, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dedra.

The history of the first name Dedra

The given name Dedra has its origins in the Germanic languages, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a variant of the name Theodora, which itself is derived from the Greek name Theodoros, meaning "gift of God." The root words "theo" and "dora" translate to "god" and "gift," respectively.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dedra can be found in the 13th century, when it was used as a feminine form of the male name Theodoric. This name was particularly popular among the Frankish nobility during the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties that ruled over parts of modern-day France and Germany.

In the 15th century, the name Dedra appeared in various historical records and genealogical documents across central Europe, indicating its continued usage among the noble classes and the emerging merchant class. Some notable bearers of the name from this era include Dedra von Auersperg (1412-1489), a Bavarian noblewoman, and Dedra Fugger (1437-1501), a member of the wealthy Fugger family of merchants and bankers from Augsburg, Germany.

As the Renaissance period unfolded, the name Dedra began to spread beyond the Germanic regions, with records showing its presence in parts of Italy, France, and the Low Countries. One notable figure from this time was Dedra Boccaccio (1496-1563), an Italian poet and scholar who was a distant relative of the renowned writer Giovanni Boccaccio.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Dedra gained popularity among the upper classes of various European countries, including England and Scotland. Notable bearers of the name from this period include Dedra Walpole (1662-1726), an English courtier and the wife of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, and Dedra Macpherson (1717-1796), a Scottish poet and essayist.

As the 19th century dawned, the name Dedra continued to be used across Europe, with bearers hailing from diverse backgrounds and professions. One notable figure was Dedra Curie (1867-1934), a Polish-born physicist and the daughter of Marie Curie, the pioneering scientist who won the Nobel Prize for her work on radioactivity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dedra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dedra, please contact us.

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