Declining since 2018, #353 for girls today.
Popularity of Thea since 1880
Babies named Thea per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 86 |
| 1890s | 105 |
| 1900s | 87 |
| 1910s | 157 |
| 1920s | 254 |
| 1930s | 207 |
| 1940s | 431 |
| 1950s | 1,027 |
| 1960s | 1,099 |
| 1970s | 1,008 |
| 1980s | 1,022 |
| 1990s | 952 |
| 2000s | 1,362 |
| 2010s | 6,408 |
| 2020s | 5,908 |
Meaning & origin
Thea has been a steady presence in U.S. baby names since records began in 1880. Its peak popularity came in 2018, when it ranked 148th, though it has since fallen to 353rd by 2025, with about 1 in 1,854 girls receiving the name. Thea is particularly favored in the District of Columbia, Nebraska, and Maine. As a short form of Theodora or Dorothea, it carries the meaningful heritage of 'gift of God', making it a classic that feels both vintage and fresh. Parents often pair it with other short, elegant names for siblings, and it offers the straightforward nickname Tea.
Thea is a short form of the Greek names Theodora (from theos 'god' and doron 'gift') and Dorothea (from doron 'gift' and theos 'god'), both meaning 'gift of God'. It has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Thea is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Thea” around the world
Where Thea lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#59
in 2024
Ireland
21
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#84
in 2025
Quebec
43
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tea, Tia
Variants: Téa, Tea
Sibling names for Thea
Names that share Thea's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Mae, Nora, Stella, Violet, Cara, Cleo, Elli, Ila, Kora, Lida, Mona, Noma, Odessa, Petra, Vira, Zena, Zola, Bari, Charissa, Dea, Illa, Kena, La, Mea, Milla, Neoma, Peri, Renna, Riva, Sula, Tisa, Tula, Veta, Zana, Zelie, Zenia, Zeta, Arma, Cala, Caris, Carita, Chessa, Clea, Corra, Elah, Elanna, Evi, Ikea, Iza, Jema, Joei, Katha, Kayra, Kela, Korinna, Kyna, Kyri, Leala, Leitha, Loa, Lore, Marea, Matia, Meia, Melah, Mora, Nea, Neah, Netta, Nissi, Prisca, Reesa, Rema, Rheya, Talula, Tinia, Villa, Yides, Zenna, Zera, Zo, Antha, Belem, Blen, Casia, Dala, Eria, Eutha, Ica, Ionna, Kalla, Kaula, Klea, Leathia, Lenni, Levita, Leza, Lusia, Marka, Myna, Netha, Nil, Obera, Onna, Osa, Reah, Reet, Sola, Syra, Tannah, Tecora, Thia, Thyri, Vala, Zea, Zeda, Antia, Ezella, Nyna, Almee, Anda, Annaka, Azoria, Beda, Caly, Casha, Cella, Chella, Cilicia, Datha, Deah, Derra, Ezmay, Gera, Henya, Ia, Inola, Joda, Kesa, Loda, Metha, Nera, Orphia, Rhena, Rhesa, Sevi, Statia, Taisa, Tema, Twylah, Veida, Veora, Zoa
Brothers: Felix, Leo, Oscar, Theo, Wren, Galen, Hector, Ira, Tedd, Arin, Cai, Clemens, Cleon, Telly, Arhan, Helios, Ival, Ivo, Keno, Leno, Levie, Loukas, Markos, Miloh, Orien, Phi, Philo, Reco, Reo, Theotis, Toma, Bera, Ethon, Eugen, Jeno, Kalik, Kevis, Kino, Leanthony, Leomar, Michai, Tilian, Ulysees, Urie, Valon, Vin, Zeek, Kyros, Aaro, Ardian, Avo, Benno, Biran, Drin, Elean, Elo, Gor, Inmer, Irah, Kire, Loden, Mico, Oli, Siris, Tallis, Toben
Names like Thea
Names whose popularity has moved with Thea's over the last 50 years.
