Boy · #9,014 in 2026

Themba

Themba is a South African name meaning faith. This term is often used in a Godly manner. In the Christian bible for an example, the Lord of Lords Christ Jesus used to use this term for someone who had an exceptional way of speaking and doing for the Glory of God.

Current Rank
#9,014
Peak Rank
#9,014 (1996)
Total Babies
5
5-Yr Trend
Stable
1996
First Year
1996
Last Year
1996
Peak Year
#9014
Peak Rank
5
Total Count
1
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Themba

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

Themba is a South African name meaning faith. This term is often used in a Godly manner. In the Christian bible for an example, the Lord of Lords Christ Jesus used to use this term for someone who had an exceptional way of speaking and doing for the Glory of God.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

The Story of Themba

Themba first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1996, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1996, when 5 Thembas were born — ranking #9,014 that year. As of 2026, Themba ranks #9,014 for baby boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 5 Thembas have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1990s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

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Top 10
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No data

Names that sound like Themba

Phonetically similar names — useful when Themba is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Themba

What does the name Themba mean?
Themba is a South African name meaning faith. This term is often used in a Godly manner. In the Christian bible for an example, the Lord of Lords Christ Jesus used to use this term for someone who had an exceptional way of speaking and doing for the Glory of God.
How popular is Themba in 2026?
In 2026, Themba ranks #9,014 among boys' names in the U.S., with 5 babies given the name that year.
When was Themba most popular?
Themba reached its peak popularity in 1996, ranking #9,014 that year with 5 babies given the name.
Is Themba a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Themba is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Themba?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Themba include Akem, Allonzo, Arquan. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

About the name Themba

Themba is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1996 and has accumulated 5 births in the dataset. Themba's peak popularity came in 1996 when it ranked #9,014. Use the chart and map above to compare Themba's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.