Looking for Theodora nicknames?
This name returned to the US Top 1000 in 2019, and why not? Theodora combines lots of appealing qualities. It’s as classic as Katherine, as nickname-rich as Margaret, and yet still nicely underused.
Some of these choices feel easy and obvious. Others might be more of a stretch. But if you’d like to combine long and lovely Theodora with something simpler for everyday use, one of these should fit.
OBVIOUS THEODORA NICKNAMES
TEDDIE and TEDDY
Just as Theodore naturally shortens to Teddy and Ted, so does Theodora. After all, Alexandra, Charlotte, and Samantha all share default nicknames with their masculine counterparts.
THEA
Thea blazed back into the US Top 1000 in 2014, quickly racing up the chart. Part-Theo, and part-Leah and Mia, Thea stands alone. But it also works beautifully as a Theodora short form.
THEO
Of course, if boys and girls can share Teddy, why not Theo? Theodosia Burr Alston – of “Dear Theodosia” fame from the musical Hamilton – answered to Theo.
WHY NOT CONSIDER …
DOLLY
If Dorothy shortens to Dolly, can’t Theodora, too? It feels slightly less connected, and yet, Dorothy is simply a medieval English form of Dorothea – the same elements as Theodora, reversed. Molly remains a powerfully popular pick for girls in the US, so Dolly should wear every bit as well.
DORA
Chop off the second half of this long, compound name and you’ll have Thea. But drop the first half, and it’s Dora. If not for the cheerful explorer of Nickelodeon fame, Dora might be following Nora and Cora up the charts. Instead, it’s been ages since Dora cracked the Top 1000.
DOT
There’s something elegant about reducing long, lovely Theodora to just Dot. Like Dolly, Dot traditionally attaches to Dorothy. But there’s no reason it doesn’t work for Theodora, too. Dot feels spare and sparky, an unexpected choice that charms. Dotty/Dottie are options, too.
RORY
Names like Lorelai and Gregory seem like they’d naturally shorten to Rory. So do Theodore and Theodora, with that strong OR sound.
TESS
Traditionally associated with Theresa, Tess works here, too. Tessie and Tessa could also make the list.
THEDA
As in silent screen star, Theda Bara – born Theodosia.
THORA
Contracted nicknames have a long history. Thora might not be obvious, but it’s a natural.
TORI and TORIE and TORY
Short for Victoria, but the T-or sound is very much present in this name, too.
What are your favorite Theodora nicknames? Any I’ve missed?
First published on May 1, 2017, this post was revised on November 2, 2020, and again on November 21, 2024.
The protagonist of Middlemarch, Dorothea Brooke, is nicknamed Dodo by her sister. I think it’s cute and quaintly Victorian! (Author George Eliot had met Charles Darwin and was fascinated by the theory of evolution.)
Dodo could work for Theodora, too!
Oh, LOVE that! And Dodie might work, too …
I actually got to teach a little Theodora for a while! She was very much a full name kind of person, but I do wonder if one day she’ll decide to go by one of these. There are so many cute options.
Love Theodosia even more than Theodora. Love Theo, Teddy and Tess as nicknames.♥️
This is one of my favourite girl names, but Thea is so popular in the UK, mostly as a stand alone name. I prefer Theda and Thora as nicknames, but I’m falling in love with Teddy.