What does Thora mean?
Thora is a feminine form linked to the god Thor and to “thunder.”
What does Runa mean?
Runa comes from the Old Norse for “secret lore” or “rune.”
Thora vs Runa
Which is more popular?
Runa is more popular than Thora today: about 62 US babies were given the name Runa in 2025, compared with 20 named Thora.
| Thora | Runa | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Thor's; thunder | Secret lore, rune |
| Origin | Norse | Norse |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | THOR-ah | ROO-nah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1883 | 2000 |
| Peak year | 1916 (72) | 2020 (70) |
| In 2025 | 20 | 62 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Thora
Runa
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Thora | Runa |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 215 | 372 |
| 2010s | 228 | 208 |
| 2000s | 83 | 44 |
| 1990s | 12 | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1970s | 35 | 0 |
| 1960s | 42 | 0 |
| 1950s | 101 | 0 |
| 1940s | 138 | 0 |
| 1930s | 204 | 0 |
| 1920s | 434 | 0 |
| 1910s | 519 | 0 |
| 1900s | 201 | 0 |
| 1890s | 160 | 0 |
| 1880s | 47 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Thora or Runa more popular?
Runa is more popular than Thora today: about 62 US babies were given the name Runa in 2025, compared with 20 named Thora.
What is the difference between Thora and Runa?
Thora means Thor's; thunder (Norse origin), while Runa means Secret lore, rune (Norse origin).
Which name is older, Thora or Runa?
In US records, Thora first appears in 1883 and Runa in 2000, so Thora has the longer recorded history.