UK girl's name
Theola
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "one chosen by God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Theola is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Theola popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5201, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2005 to 2007. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Theola. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2008 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Theola ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales in 2007, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 3 girls were registered as Theola.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Theola as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5201
2007
Births in 2007
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Theola mean?
The name Theola is believed to have originated from the Greek language, derived from the word "Theos," which means "God." It is a feminine name that gained popularity in various regions influenced by Greek culture, particularly in ancient times.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Theola can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was sometimes given to girls born into families that revered the Greek gods and goddesses. The name symbolized a strong connection to the divine and was often associated with religious ceremonies and rituals.
During the Byzantine era, the name Theola was used among Christian communities in the Eastern Roman Empire. It was seen as a way to honor the Christian concept of God while retaining a connection to the ancient Greek heritage. Some historical records from this period mention women named Theola who held positions of importance within the church.
In the Middle Ages, the name Theola gained popularity in certain parts of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Greek cultural influences. It was often used by families with ties to the Eastern Orthodox Church, as the name carried a religious connotation aligned with their faith.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Theola. One of the earliest recorded was Theola of Corinth (c. 150 AD), a Christian martyr who was reportedly executed for her beliefs during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Another notable figure was Theola the Younger (c. 350 AD), a Byzantine noblewoman and philanthropist known for her charitable works.
During the Renaissance period, the name Theola was used by a few prominent individuals, such as Theola Vitaliani (1472-1539), an Italian humanist scholar and poet who was celebrated for her literary works. In the 18th century, Theola de Angelis (1715-1787), an Italian painter and engraver, gained recognition for her artistic talents.
One of the most famous individuals with the name Theola was Theola Kidder (1942-2015), an American actress best known for her role as Lois Lane in the Superman film series alongside Christopher Reeve. Her portrayal of the iconic character made her a household name and cemented her place in cinematic history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Theola over time
The chart below shows babies named Theola registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Theola, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2007, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Theola by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Theola was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #5000 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Theola
- Tia 15,569
- Thea 12,888
- Tilly 11,524
- Taylor 7,401
- Tegan 6,583
- Tabitha 6,462
- Talia 5,198
- Tara 5,114
- Tiffany 4,653
- Tallulah 4,442
- Tiana 3,570
- Tamara 3,405
FAQ
Theola: questions and answers
How popular is the name Theola in the UK right now?
In 2007, Theola was ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Theola most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 3 babies registered as Theola in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Theola?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "one chosen by God".
How many people are called Theola in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Theola across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.