Thea is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "theos" which means "god". In Greek mythology, Thea was the personification of sight or vision and was one of the Titanides, the daughters of Uranus and Gaia.
The name Thea has been used throughout history but it gained popularity during the Victorian era when many parents were drawn to its classical origins. Today, Thea remains a popular choice for baby girls, with celebrities such as actor James Franco and musician Tom DeLonge choosing it for their daughters.
While some people associate Thea with the German word "thee" which means "you", this is not the origin of the name. The Greek origin gives Thea its own unique identity and meaning. Overall, Thea is a beautiful and meaningful name with a rich history behind it.
The name Thea has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. Starting with just 6 births in 1880, the number of babies named Thea steadily increased throughout the early to mid-20th century.
In the 1940s and 50s, there was a notable surge in Thea's popularity, reaching a peak of 135 births in 1955. This trend continued into the 60s and 70s, with the number of babies named Thea fluctuating between 80 to 140 births per year.
The late 20th century saw another surge in popularity for the name Thea. Between 1980 and 2000, there were over 5,000 births registered annually on average, with a high of 149 births in 2003.
More recently, Thea's popularity has continued to rise. In just two decades (2002-2022), the number of babies named Thea increased from 124 births per year to over 1,000 births annually, with a record high of 1,208 births in 2017.
Overall, since 1880, there have been a total of 18,336 babies named Thea born in the United States. This demonstrates that although it may not have started as a popular name, Thea has grown to become one of the more common choices for parents in recent years.