Find out how popular the first name Thecla has been for the last 1 years (from 1986 to 1986) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Thecla by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Thecla is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1986, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Thecla.

The history of the first name Thecla

Thecla is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the word "theklē," which means "daughter" or "young girl" in Ancient Greek. The name first appeared in the 1st century AD and is associated with early Christian history and martyrdom.

The name gained its significance from Saint Thecla, a legendary figure in early Christianity. According to tradition, she was a young virgin from Iconium (modern-day Turkey) who embraced Christianity after hearing the teachings of the apostle Paul. Her refusal to marry resulted in her being sentenced to death, but she was miraculously saved from various tortures, including being burned at the stake and being thrown to wild beasts.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Thecla comes from the apocryphal "Acts of Paul and Thecla," a 2nd-century work that recounts her life and martyrdom. This text played a significant role in establishing her cult and veneration in the early Christian Church.

One of the earliest known individuals named Thecla was a 4th-century martyr from Lentini, Sicily, who was killed during the Diocletian persecution of Christians. Another notable Thecla was a 5th-century abbess and saint from Kitzingen, Germany, who founded a convent and is celebrated as a patron saint of convents and monasteries.

In the 9th century, Thecla, a Byzantine Empress, was the wife of Emperor Theophilos and regent for her son, Michael III, from 842 to 856 AD. She played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of the Byzantine Empire during her regency.

During the Middle Ages, Thecla became a popular name among religious women, particularly in monasteries and convents, due to the influence of Saint Thecla's story. One notable bearer was Thecla of Olivières (1200-1286), a French mystic and anchoress who lived a life of extreme asceticism and is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Other notable historical figures named Thecla include Thecla of Iconium (1st century), a follower of Saint Paul and the first documented female preacher in Christianity; Thecla of Merania (c. 1200-1216), a German princess and Duchess of Saxony; and Thecla of Lesbos (14th century), a Greek Orthodox saint and martyr from the island of Lesbos.

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

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