Pronunciation: [θˈɛdə bˈɑːɹə] (IPA) 
Theda Bara was an American silent film actress. The spelling of her name is pronounced as /ˈθiːdə ˈbærə/. The "th" in "Theda" is pronounced as the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, which is the same sound as in "think" and "thought". The "a" in "Bara" is pronounced as the short vowel /æ/, which is the same sound as in "cat" and "hat". Together, the pronunciation of "Theda Bara" can be written as "THEE-duh BAR-uh".
Theda Bara was an American actress who gained immense popularity during the silent film era of the early 1900s. Born Theodosia Goodman in 1885, she adopted the stage name Theda Bara, which was an anagram of "Arab Death." Bara's persona was characterized by her exotic beauty and her portrayal of femme fatale characters.
As a dictionary definition, Theda Bara can be described as a seductive and mysterious film actress known for her roles as a temptress and vamp in silent films. With her dark hair, heavily accentuated eyes, and provocative attire, she became a symbol of sensuality and danger.
Bara's fame peaked during the 1910s, and she quickly became one of the most recognizable and highest-paid actresses of her time. Though many of her films have been lost over the years, her memorable roles in movies such as "A Fool There Was" (1915) and "Cleopatra" (1917) earned her a lasting place in Hollywood history.
Despite her fame, Bara's career was cut short due to public scrutiny and the limitations of silent film as the industry transitioned into the "talkies" in the late 1920s. She retired from acting in 1926 but left a lasting impact on popular culture as one of the earliest iconic sex symbols in cinema. Theda Bara's allure and mystique remain an enduring part of film history, forever evoking images of alluring and dangerous women of the silent screen.
The word "Theda Bara" is not derived from any specific root or language. It is a stage name that was created by the American actress Theodosia Burr Goodman (1885-1955), who went by the professional name Theda Bara. There is no known etymological significance or meaning associated with the name Theda Bara; it was entirely a fabricated stage persona.
