Theodora

Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea. It was borne by several saints and by the beautiful ninth wife of the Emperor Justinian, who became the power behind his throne. A later royal was Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, the older sister of the present Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Keith Richards named his daughter Theodora in 1985; Robbie Williams did the same just last year. In TV's Gray's Anatomy Dr. Theodora "Teddy" Altman was a surgeon.

Theodora offers a menu of neat nicknames, from the classic Teddy to Thea to Dora. Some cool international variations as well: Theodosia, Feodora and Teodora.