Given name & surname
Thea
“gift of God”
In Dutch use, Thea is a diminutive of Theodora. In Greek use, Theodora carries the interpretation “gift of God.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Dutch use, Thea is a diminutive of Theodora. In Greek use, Theodora carries the interpretation “gift of God.”
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English use, Thea is used as a shortened form of Dorothea.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Thea through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 20,118
- 5 boys · 20,113 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 1,209 babies
- 2025
- 867
- #353 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −16%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 867 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 353 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 15.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,209 in 2018. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (58). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 13,402 as a first name in 2020; 131 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Thea’s family of names
In Norwegian usage, Thea is an affectionate form of Dorothea. In Greek usage, Thea as a surname is a transliteration of Θεά. Thea is a short form of Dorothea.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Thea has relatives in 5 languages. Lines run from its Ancient Greek roots to each of them.
5 related names in 5 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Thea
- Thea von HarbouGerman screenwriter (1888–1954)
- Thea LaFondDominica triple jumper (born 1994)
- Thea Garrettsingerborn 1992
- Zelina VegaAmerican professional wrestlerborn 1990
- Thea Louise StjernesundNorwegian female alpine skierborn 1996
- Thea GillCanadian actressborn 1970
- Thea BeckmanDutch author of children's books (1923–2004)
- Thea Hochleitneralpine skier1925–2012
- Thea Sofie Loch NæssNorwegian actorborn 1996
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Thea, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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“born at night” · “resembling a lily”
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Hela
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>99% girls