Rhoda

Rhoda is a feminine given name of Greek origin. In the New Testament, Rhoda is the name of a servant girl who appears in Acts 12:13–15. When Peter miraculously escapes from prison and knocks at the door of Mary, the mother of John Mark, Rhoda answers and is so overjoyed to hear his voice that she forgets to let him in, running instead to tell the others. The name comes from the Greek word rhodon, meaning "rose."

Etymology

The name Rhoda is derived from the Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhodon), meaning "rose." This root is also found in other names such as Rhode, the Biblical Latin equivalent, and even in the flower name itself. The symbolic association with the rose has made the name appealing across various cultures, particularly in Christian contexts.

Historical and Cultural Significance

While Rhoda has biblical roots, it did not become common as an English given name until the 17th century, when Puritan and Protestant families often adopted New Testament names. In the 20th century, the name gained broader recognition through the television series Rhoda (1974–1978), a popular American sitcom and spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show starred Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern, a spirited and fashion-forward Jewish woman from New York City, whose life and relationships were central to the plot. This pop-culture reference, while not etymologically related to the Greek origin, helped maintain the name's familiarity in modern times.

Notable Bearers

Notable individuals named Rhoda include Rhoda Broughton (1840–1920), a Welsh novelist known for her sensational fiction, and Rhoda Williams (1930–2015), an American voice actress and film editor. In the Bible, the servant Rhoda is the only biblical bearer of the name, but the character plays a small yet memorable role in the story of Peter's escape.

• Meaning: "Rose"; from Greek ῥόδον
• Origin: Greek; first used in the New Testament
• Usage: English, English Bible
• Variant Forms: Rhoda, Rhode (Biblical Latin)
• Popularity: Became common in English-speaking countries in the 17th century; continues in use today