[name_f]Every[/name_f] time my family watches Hocus Pocus (which is not a Halloween-only movie in our house), my husband and I toss around the name [name_f]Thora[/name_f] (from the actress [name_f]Thora[/name_f] [name_m]Birch[/name_m]). We had both finally decided we liked it, so I looked it up on nameberry and when I saw the meaning “thunder goddess”, it clicked–it’s just a feminized version of [name_m]Thor[/name_m]. One of us should’ve spotted that right off the bat, but it truly didn’t click. My mind was at [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Flora[/name_f], and [name_f]Laura[/name_f]–not [name_m]Thor[/name_m]!
My husband and I are not superhero fans. Though [name_u]Chris[/name_u] Hemsworth is yummy, these movies/comic books/graphic novels are not our thing and they feel super trendy/fad-ish right now so we find this association offputting.
I guess my question is: when you see [name_f]Thora[/name_f], is your first association [name_m]Thor[/name_m]?
P.S. yes, I know [name_m]Thor[/name_m] obviously pre-dates the movies, but in 2017 when there’s a new superhero movie out every month, I think [name_u]Chris[/name_u] Hemsworth’s [name_m]Thor[/name_m] has hijacked Norse religion/folklore’s [name_m]Thor[/name_m] for at least the next decade or so.
I honestly didn’t even draw that connection, despite the names being one letter off! My husband is even big into all of those superhero movies I asked him “What do you think of [name_f]Thora[/name_f]?” and he immediately came back and said “[name_m]Thor[/name_m]!”
So…I don’t know. I’m sure the connection will be drawn from time to time, but I don’t think that takes away from the value of the name. It’s old-timey and beautiful. It makes me think of gingham fabric and [name_m]Little[/name_m] House on the [name_u]Prairie[/name_u]. It doesn’t have the “trendy” feel of say [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f] or [name_u]Madison[/name_u], for instance.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though I know [name_f]Thora[/name_f]'s Scandinavian, and know the meaning, I’ve never thought of [name_m]Thor[/name_m] at all! It’s just . . . [name_f]Thora[/name_f].
I’m a massive [name_f]Marvel[/name_f] fan raising a massive [name_f]Marvel[/name_f] fan and I didnt draw the connection instantly either. I’ve always thought of it more of a mix of [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and [name_f]Thea[/name_f]. I’d use it if you like it - as pp said, some people will see the connection sometimes, but I dont think it dominates the name the same way that using [name_m]Thor[/name_m] itself (or Sif, Heimdall, [name_m]Odin[/name_m] or Frigga) would. [name_f]Thora[/name_f] definitely has the same feel to me as names like [name_f]Flora[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Elsie[/name_f] - it fits in seamlesssly with other sweet 5 letter vintage names
I think of [name_f]Thora[/name_f] [name_m]Birch[/name_m] in the film Ghost World. Super cool. [name_m]Even[/name_m] with [name_m]Thor[/name_m] association it’s really cool I think!
One thing I would mention though is that I’ve heard it pronounced with a ‘silent T’ in a few languages, so it will sound like [name_u]Tora[/name_u] to some people, like the Torah I guess. I think that’s a pretty name but maybe a problem depending on where you live.
I love [name_f]Thora[/name_f]. I do associate it with [name_m]Thor[/name_m] but not the [name_m]Thor[/name_m] you’re talking about. The name has such an old timey feel that when I think of it on relation to [name_m]Thor[/name_m] I picture old depictions of the God of Thunder… associating it with modern day adaptations of [name_m]Thor[/name_m] literally never crossed my mind. [name_m]Will[/name_m] some people think of the recent [name_m]Thor[/name_m] movie? Yes, but those people are likely fans so… they’ll consider it a good thing. Use it please because my husband won’t let me haha
I associate [name_f]Thora[/name_f] with [name_f]Thora[/name_f] [name_m]Birch[/name_m] and the god [name_m]Thor[/name_m], not the superhero. But I knew the story behind [name_f]Thora[/name_f] [name_m]Birch[/name_m]’s name (she has a brother named Bolt!) and am not a comic fan or someone who goes to see blockbuster movies.
I know the roots and meaning of [name_f]Thora[/name_f] but it doesn’t scream (current pop culture) [name_m]Thor[/name_m] to me. I of the traditional Norse legends and connection to great strength and the traditional [name_m]Thor[/name_m], than today’s modern associations with [name_m]Thor[/name_m] (that said, I am not a superhero-type fan myself). [name_f]Thora[/name_f] is a good, strong name, with both class, and zest. She’d be a nice choice for a new babe.
[name_f]Thora[/name_f] [name_m]Birch[/name_m] rather than Hemsworth’s [name_m]Thor[/name_m] to me too! I’ve not seen the film(s?) but the name definitely feels like its own entity apart from [name_m]Thor[/name_m]. It’s got a lively, old-timey, roaring 20s kind of feel to it - I like it.
Very similar in sound and feel to me is [name_f]Theda[/name_f], if you like that? Though you’d lose the awesome thundery meaning!
I am a massive [name_f]Marvel[/name_f] fan and an even bigger norse mythology nerd, so yes, I immediatly think of [name_m]Thor[/name_m]. I actually think its part of the I love [name_f]Thora[/name_f] so much.
It makes me feel so great that there were others who didn’t immediately make the connection to [name_m]Thor[/name_m] despite there being a one letter different! You have all emboldened me; I think we’ll keep [name_f]Thora[/name_f] in the running.
I knew that [name_f]Thora[/name_f] was a feminine version of [name_m]Thor[/name_m] but I really wouldn’t worry to much! It’s a lovely name and I would love to meet a little [name_f]Thora[/name_f]!
I asked him “What do you think of [name_f]Thora[/name_f]?” and he immediately came back and said “[name_m]Thor[/name_m]!”