Thecla is a female given name of Greek origin and meaning "glorious in appearance". It is derived from the ancient Greek word "thekla", which means "a fame, glory". The name has been used since ancient times, but it is not very common today.
In early Christian tradition, Saint Thecla was one of the most revered saints. She was a companion of Saint Paul and is considered to be the first female martyr in Christianity. According to legend, she was burned at the stake for her faith but miraculously survived unharmed. This story has contributed to the name's association with strength, courage, and devotion.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Thecla. One of them is Thecla, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was tortured and killed for her refusal to denounce her faith during the Great Persecution by Emperor Diocletian. Another famous bearer of this name is Thecla of Iconium, also known as Saint Thecla of Seleucia, who was a companion of Saint Paul on his missionary journeys.
Despite its rich history and meaningful origin, Thecla is not a popular given name today. It has been largely replaced by more modern and fashionable names in recent years. However, for those who appreciate unique and meaningful names with deep historical roots, Thecla remains an attractive choice.
The name Thecla has been given to a total of 281 babies in the United States between 1888 and 1986, according to available birth records. While it was quite popular during certain periods, its usage fluctuated significantly over time.
In the early years recorded, from 1888 to 1908, there were no more than 7 births per year with a peak of 11 births in 1911. The name's popularity seemed to grow steadily until reaching a peak between 1916 and 1924, with the highest number of births recorded at 18 in 1917.
However, after this peak, the usage of the name Thecla started to decline significantly. Between 1925 and 1936, there were no more than 6 births per year, and this trend continued until the mid-20th century. There were only 5 births recorded in each of the years 1948, 1955, 1957, and 1986.
It's interesting to note that there was a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name Thecla during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with 5 births in 1958, 7 births in 1959, and 6 births in 1962. However, this was not enough to sustain a longer-term trend, and the name's usage continued to decline thereafter.
In conclusion, while Thecla was once a relatively popular name in the United States, its usage has fluctuated significantly over time. Its peak popularity occurred between 1916 and 1924, but since then, it has been given to fewer than 7 babies per year on average. Despite this decline, there have been occasional spikes in popularity, demonstrating that Thecla remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents seeking something different.