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

Popularity of Thora by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 33 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Thora.

The history of the first name Thora

The name Thora is of Old Norse origin, derived from the word "þora" which means "brave" or "courageous". It was a popular name among the Vikings and Norsemen who inhabited Scandinavia and parts of Northern Europe during the Viking Age, spanning from the late 8th century to the late 11th century.

The name Thora can be traced back to various ancient Norse texts and sagas, such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, which were written in the 13th century. These texts contain references to Norse mythology and legends, where the name Thora is mentioned in connection with various female characters known for their bravery and strength.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Thora is found in the 10th century Icelandic Book of Settlements (Landnámabók), which documents the settlement of Iceland by Norse settlers. The book mentions a woman named Thora who was among the first settlers to arrive in Iceland during the late 9th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable women named Thora, including:

1. Thora Borgarhjört (born c. 970), an Icelandic woman known for her involvement in a legal dispute recorded in the Njál's Saga, one of the most famous Icelandic sagas.
2. Thora Thorbergsdatter (c. 1020-1090), a Norwegian noblewoman and one of the most powerful women in Norway during the 11th century.
3. Thora Hallsdatter (c. 1205-1268), a Norwegian landowner and one of the richest women in Norway during the 13th century.
4. Thora Halldorsdottir (1637-1683), an Icelandic poet and one of the most famous female poets of her time.
5. Thora Thoroddsen (1856-1945), an Icelandic educator and one of the first female principals in Iceland.

The name Thora has maintained its popularity in Scandinavia and Iceland throughout the centuries, with variations such as Tora, Thura, and Tora appearing in different regions. It has also been adopted in other parts of the world, often reflecting the influence of Norse culture and mythology.

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

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

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