Theodora

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A woman's name derived from the Greek elements meaning 'gift of God'
2. A female personal name of Greek origin, traditionally borne by women throughout history
3. A woman's given name of ancient Greek derivation, historically used across many cultures

Etymology: Theodora is a name rather than a common word, and its story runs through two empires. It combines the Greek "theos", meaning god, with "dōron", meaning gift, so the whole name means "God's gift." The Greek form "Theodṓra" was a feminine personal name in the eastern Mediterranean world, and it reached English through Latin, where the name appeared as "Theodora". The name is most famous for the sixth-century Byzantine empress Theodora, wife of Emperor Justinian I, who wielded considerable influence at his court in Constantinople. Her prominence helped keep the name in use among Christians, and it spread through Europe along with the saints and church traditions that carried it.