Holding steady.
Popularity of Theola since 1895
Babies named Theola per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Theola's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 18 |
| 1900s | 118 |
| 1910s | 433 |
| 1920s | 565 |
| 1930s | 389 |
| 1940s | 258 |
| 1950s | 180 |
| 1960s | 105 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Theola is a rare feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1895. It reached its peak popularity in 1909, when it ranked 1006, with an estimated one-in-10,000 births that year. Since then its use has steadily declined; in 2025 it remains unranked, given to fewer than five newborns annually. The name was most concentrated in the early 1900s and has not been recorded in any top state. Its origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged as a feminine variant of Theo or Theophilus, aligning with the early-20th-century trend for soft, melodic names ending in 'la'. Theola has no known famous bearers and no notable revival, making it a true rarity.
Theola is a rare English given name that first appeared in the late 19th century. It is likely a feminine variant of Theo, a short form of Theodore or Theophilus, both ultimately from Greek roots meaning 'god' and 'love'. The name saw modest use in the early 1900s, peaking in 1909, but has since become very uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Thea, Ola, Lee
Sibling names for Theola
Names that share Theola's style, for a brother or sister.
