Theodora is the feminine form of Theodore, from the Greek Theodoros, and means "gift of God", from theos, god, and doron, gift. The Byzantine empress Theodora, wife of Justinian, was one of the most powerful women of the 6th century, and the name offers the lively nicknames Teddy, Thea and Dora. Theodora ranked number 3163 in the United States in 2000, rose with Theodore's boom, entered the top 1000 in 2019, peaked at number 688 in 2022 and ranks number 726 in 2025.