Theria
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "wild beast" or "hunter".
Name Census estimates that about 10 living Americans carry the first name Theria. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Theria today is around 67 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Theria births was 1936 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Theria. 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 Theria is about 67 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Therias were born before 1969.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Theria. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
10
~ 1 in 34,275,434 Americans
Peak year
1936
6 babies that year
Average age
67
years old
1965 SSA rank
#7,445
Tracked since 1919
Popularity
Theria: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Theria from the 1910s through to the 1960s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 6 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
Theria 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 Theria during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Theria
The name Theria is believed to have its origins in ancient Greek culture, stemming from the word "therion," which translates to "wild beast" or "wild animal." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with qualities such as strength, ferocity, and a connection to nature.
During the classical era of ancient Greece, the name Theria was relatively uncommon but not entirely unheard of. It is mentioned in a few fragments of Greek literature, although its usage was likely limited to certain regions or social circles.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Theria was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 5th century BC. Unfortunately, little is known about her life or teachings, as her works have been lost to time.
In the 3rd century BC, a woman named Theria of Crete gained recognition as a skilled weaver and artisan. Her intricate tapestries and textiles were highly sought after by the wealthy and elite of the time.
Moving forward in history, a notable figure named Theria appeared in the 1st century AD as a prominent figure in the early Christian church. She is mentioned in several early Christian texts as a devout follower of the faith and a dedicated evangelist.
During the Byzantine era, a woman named Theria of Constantinople (c. 550 AD - 620 AD) was renowned for her philanthropic efforts and her work in establishing orphanages and shelters for the poor and destitute.
In the 12th century, a French noblewoman named Theria de Châteauneuf (c. 1120 - 1195) played a significant role in the Second Crusade, providing financial and logistical support to the crusaders.
While the name Theria has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has carried a certain mystique and connection to nature, strength, and resilience. Its ancient Greek roots and the various notable individuals who bore this name have contributed to its enduring legacy.
People
Theria + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Theria 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
Theria: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Theria?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 10 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Theria 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 34,275,434 US residents.
Is Theria a common name?
We classify Theria as "Very Rare". It ranks above 28.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 22 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Theria most popular?
The single biggest year for Theria was 1936, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Theria is about 67 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Theria a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Theria in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.