Theodore
Theodore is a boys' name of Greek origin meaning “gift of God.” It ranked #4 in the United States in 2025. Theodore combines the Greek 'theos' (god) and 'doron' (gift).
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how do you pronounce Theodore?
THEE-oh-dor
where does the name Theodore come from?
From the Greek Θεόδωρος, joining theos, meaning god, with dōron, meaning gift. Dorothea is built from precisely the same two elements in the opposite order, which makes the pair one of the neatest mirror images in European naming.
President Theodore Roosevelt established its rugged-yet-warm persona. After decades of dormancy, it has rocketed from #266 in 2009 to the top 10 — one of the greatest comeback names ever.
how popular is this name?
Theodore has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #4 in 2024, and ranked #4 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #4 |
| 2024 | #4 |
| 2023 | #7 |
| 2022 | #10 |
| 2021 | #10 |
| 2020 | #23 |
| 2019 | #36 |
| 2018 | #44 |
| 2017 | #61 |
| 2016 | #83 |
| 2010 | #257 |
| 2000 | #312 |
| 1990 | #233 |
| 1980 | #206 |
| 1970 | #160 |
| 1960 | #149 |
| 1950 | #99 |
| 1940 | #90 |
| 1930 | #67 |
| 1920 | #63 |
| 1910 | #53 |
| 1900 | #61 |
| 1890 | #89 |
| 1880 | #70 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Theodore fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Theodore
The name was borne by a long line of saints and by Theodore of Tarsus, the seventh-century Archbishop of Canterbury who reorganised the English church. Theodore Roosevelt supplied its most durable modern association: after he refused to shoot a captive bear on a 1902 hunting trip, a toymaker named a stuffed bear the teddy in his honour.
who are famous people named Theodore?
- Theodore Roosevelt (US President)
- Ted Lasso (TV character)
- Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)
what are the nicknames and variants of Theodore?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Theodore?
what names go well with Theodore?
Sibling names that share Theodore's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Theodore
What does the name Theodore mean?
Theodore means “gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Theodore?
Theodore comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Theodor, Teodoro and Fyodor.
How popular is the name Theodore?
Theodore ranked #4 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2024, at #4, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Theodore a boy or girl name?
Theodore is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Theodore?
Theodore is pronounced THEE-oh-dor, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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