Declining since 2021.
Popularity of Tekla since 1889
Babies named Tekla per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tekla's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 44 |
| 1900s | 18 |
| 1910s | 103 |
| 1920s | 31 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 48 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 43 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 33 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 19 |
| 2010s | 12 |
| 2020s | 21 |
Meaning & origin
Tekla is a name with ancient roots that remains rare in modern usage. Derived from the Greek Thekla, meaning 'glory of God,' it was borne by an early Christian saint and spread through Byzantine and later Scandinavian traditions. In the United States, Tekla first appeared in records in 1889, which also marks its peak year. Its usage has been declining since 2021, and it has never ranked among the top 1,000 names. While it was occasionally found in the late 19th century, especially among immigrant communities, it has since become an uncommon choice.
Tekla is a Scandinavian and Eastern European form of Thekla, derived from the Greek name Thekla (Θέκλα), meaning 'glory of God' (from *theos* 'god' and *kleos* 'glory'). The name was borne by an early Christian saint and was common in Byzantine and Slavic regions, later entering Scandinavian calendars via the Catholic and Lutheran traditions.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tek, Teki
Sibling names for Tekla
Names that share Tekla's style, for a brother or sister.
