Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Thea
GirlGreek· “goddess; short for Theodora”
- Meaning
- goddess; short for Theodora
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- THEE-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #353
- US babies 2025
- 867
- Best rank
- #268 (2017)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Thea
Thea is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “goddess; short for Theodora”.
Thea began as a short form of longer Greek names such as Theodora and Dorothea, both built from theos, "god", and doron, "gift". It also matches the Greek word thea, "goddess", and it recalls Theia, a Titaness of Greek mythology who was mother of the sun, the moon and the dawn. The name has been used in Scandinavia and Germany for generations and in English since the nineteenth century. Thea Kronborg, the singer at the heart of Willa Cather's novel The Song of the Lark, gave it an American literary presence. Today Thea feels light, bright and quietly vintage. It is pronounced THEE-uh in English and TAY-ah in several European languages.
Popularity over time
Thea has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years. Its best national rank was #268 in 2017, and the most babies received it in 2018, when 1,209 were named Thea. In 2025, 867 babies were named Thea, and it ranked #353 nationally. That is 26% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,702 in 1920, #996 in 1950, #1,076 in 1980, #1,600 in 2000, #1,544 in 2010, and #353 in 2025. Of the 20,113 US girls named Thea since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 5,908 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Camilla, Amina, Charlee, Briella, and Samara.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Thea ranked highest in Nebraska, District of Columbia, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #131 | 18 |
| District of Columbia | #146 | 6 |
| Minnesota | #165 | 33 |
| Maine | #174 | 7 |
| North Dakota | #193 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Thea is usually pronounced THEE-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with T and ends in “-ea”.
Middle names for Thea
A few middle names that flow with Thea: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Thea
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Lists that include Thea
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Thea mean?
Thea is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “goddess; short for Theodora”.
What is the origin of the name Thea?
Thea has Greek roots. Thea began as a short form of longer Greek names such as Theodora and Dorothea, both built from theos, "god", and doron, "gift".
Is Thea a popular name?
Yes. Thea ranked #353 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Thea a boy or girl name?
Thea is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Thea?
Thea is usually pronounced THEE-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings