Theodia
Feminine name derived from Greek "Theodoros" meaning "gift of God".
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Theodia. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Theodia today is around 70 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Theodia births was 1925 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Theodia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Theodia is about 70 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Theodias were born before 1966.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Theodia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1925
5 babies that year
Average age
70
years old
1958 SSA rank
#4,458
Tracked since 1925
Popularity
Theodia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Theodia from the 1920s through to the 1950s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 5 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Theodia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Theodia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Theodias live
Origin
Meaning and history of Theodia
The name Theodia has its origins in Greek culture and language, tracing back to the 5th century BCE. It is derived from the Greek words "theos" meaning "god" and "doron" meaning "gift," thus translating to "gift of God." This name was particularly popular during the Byzantine era and the early days of Christianity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Theodia can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who mentions a woman by that name in his work "The Histories." In the 4th century CE, a Christian martyr named Theodia was revered in the city of Alexandria for her unwavering faith and sacrifice.
During the Middle Ages, the name Theodia gained popularity across Europe, especially in regions influenced by the Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the 9th century, a noblewoman named Theodia of Byzantium was known for her philanthropic work and patronage of the arts.
In the 12th century, Theodia of Arles was a prominent figure in the religious and intellectual circles of southern France. She was renowned for her knowledge of theology and philosophy, and her writings on spiritual matters were widely read and studied.
Another notable figure bearing the name Theodia was a 14th-century Italian poet and playwright, Theodia di Firenze. Her plays were performed at the court of the Medici family in Florence, and she was celebrated for her mastery of language and storytelling.
In the 16th century, Theodia von Brandenburg was a German princess and a patron of the arts during the Renaissance. She commissioned several works of art and architecture, leaving a lasting legacy in her home region.
Throughout history, the name Theodia has been borne by many other individuals, including scholars, artists, and religious figures, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and enduring appeal.
People
Theodia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Theodia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Theodia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Theodia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Theodia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Theodia a common name?
We classify Theodia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 10 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Theodia most popular?
The single biggest year for Theodia was 1925, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Theodia is about 70 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Theodia in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Theodia a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Theodia in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Theodia still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Theodia in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Theodia can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Theodia?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.