Find out how popular the first name Thea has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Thea by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Thea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 970 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Thea.

The history of the first name Thea

The name Thea has its origins in Greek mythology and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Greek word "theos," meaning "god" or "divine." The name was originally used to refer to female deities or goddesses in Greek mythology.

In ancient Greek texts, such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, the term "thea" was often used to address or describe powerful female figures like Hera, the queen of the gods, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. The name carried a sense of reverence and respect for the divine feminine energy.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Thea dates back to the 5th century BC, when it was borne by Thea of Lemnos, a Greek woman who was said to have been the first to establish a temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele. Thea was also the name of a Greek poetess who lived in the 3rd century BC and was renowned for her elegiac poetry.

Throughout history, the name Thea has been carried by several notable individuals. In the 4th century AD, Thea of Alexandria was a philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of astronomy and mathematics in ancient Egypt. During the Byzantine era, Thea Porphyrogenita (1054-1092) was a princess and the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos.

In the realm of literature, Thea Musgrave (born 1928) is a renowned Scottish composer and conductor who has written numerous operas, orchestral works, and chamber pieces. Thea von Harbou (1888-1954) was a German author and screenwriter best known for her collaborations with the legendary filmmaker Fritz Lang, including the classic science-fiction film "Metropolis."

Another prominent figure named Thea was Thea Astley (1925-2004), an Australian novelist and short story writer who won multiple literary awards, including the prestigious Patrick White Award. Thea Sharrock (born 1976) is a British theatre and film director who has directed acclaimed productions on both stage and screen.

While the name Thea has ancient roots in Greek culture, its enduring appeal and versatility have allowed it to transcend time and be embraced by various cultures and societies throughout history, making it a timeless and evocative choice.

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 Thea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!