Thekla

Deriving from the ancient Greek name, Theokleia, Thekla is a contracted form that appears in the New Testament. According to the Acts of Paul, Thekla (or Thecla) is a 1st century saint and the first virgin martyr who angers her mother and her suitor by vowing to remain chaste after hearing Paul speak.

The name has an unusual and distinctive sound that will likely divide crowds, but it would make a memorable choice. International variants include: Tekla, used in a number of European countries, Fyokla, used in Russian, Thècle used in French, and Tegla in Welsh.

Notable namesakes include Norwegian botanist Thekla Rsevoll, architect (and 2nd woman in Germany to ever get a degree in the field) Thekla Schild, and author, suffragette, and artist, Thekla M. Bernays.

This name ranked in the US Top 1000 back in the late 19th century, but has featured sporadically in the stats ever since -- its last appearance being in 2021, when it was given to 6 girls. The similar Tekla fairs better, given to around 5 girls each year.

Pronounced THEK-luh.

As of October 2026, Thekla ranked #15082 in US births in 2021 SSA, peaked at #755 in 1890.