Rhoda is a unique and uncommon given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "rodh," which means "to migrate" or "to wander." The name Rhoda was borne by an early Christian figure who played a significant role in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.
In the biblical narrative, Rhoda was a servant in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. She recognized Peter's voice outside the door when he knocked while seeking refuge after his miraculous escape from prison. Despite her recognition, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the door immediately and ran back inside to announce Peter's arrival instead.
The name Rhoda is believed to have been popularized by early Christian communities as a result of this biblical story. However, it has never been widely used and remains relatively uncommon today. It is often associated with historical figures in religious contexts but is not typically connected with any specific cultural traditions or celebrations outside of these religious frameworks.
As for its meaning, Rhoda signifies movement, change, or transition, reflecting its Hebrew root word. While it does not have any direct associations with specific personality traits or characteristics, some people may associate the name with qualities such as enthusiasm, joy, and faith, given its biblical context. Ultimately, the interpretation of the name Rhoda's meaning can vary depending on individual perspectives and cultural backgrounds.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Rhoda experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time. From 1880 to around 1960, there were periods of consistent growth and decline in births named Rhoda, with peaks in the late 1910s to early 1920s, reaching a high of 547 births in 1926. However, from the mid-1960s onwards, the popularity of the name Rhoda dramatically decreased, dropping below 100 births per year starting in 1967 and continuing until today, with only 47 births recorded in 2023. Overall, there were a total of 25,944 births named Rhoda from 1880 to 2023.