Theodore Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Theodore Name Meaning

Fact: Theodore “Theo” Decker is the protagonist in Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Goldfinch,” which was adapted into a film.

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A Deep Dive

Theodore Overview

Meaning

Gift of God

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Theodoros,” meaning “gift of God.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈθiː.ə.dɔːr/

Popularity

Theodore is a name of global popularity, notably in Europe and North America. In the United States, it has maintained a position within the top 50 boys’ names in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Popular, Classic, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Intelligent, strong, charismatic, dependable

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Theodore is associated with several saints, including Saint Theodore of Amasea, an early Christian martyr, and Saint Theodore the Studite, a significant theologian.

Name Day

November 9th
A Deep Dive

Theodore Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Teodor, Teodoro, Theodorus, Teodora, Theodor

Common Nicknames

Theo, Teddy, Ted, Dor

Diminutives

Teo, Tad, Teddy, Thee

Famous People

  • Theodore Roosevelt
    (American Politician and 26th President)
  • Theodore Dreiser
    (American Author)
  • Theodore Geisel
    (American Author, Dr. Seuss)
  • Theodore Bikel
    (Austrian-American Actor)
  • Theodore Sturgeon
    (American Author)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Theodore "Teddy" Flood
    ("Westworld," TV Series)
  • "Theodore"
    (Film)
  • Theodore Laurence
    ("Little Women," Novel)
  • Theodore "Theo" Huxtable
    ("The Cosby Show," TV Series)
  • "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer"
    (Novel by John Grisham)

Places

  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    (North Dakota, USA)
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island
    (Washington, D.C., USA)

What Is the Meaning of Theodore?

Theodore means “gift of God” in Greek. This name often suggests a personality that is generous and kind-hearted, embodying a sense of warmth and benevolence.

What Is the Origin of The Name Theodore?

Theodore has Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek name “Theodoros,” which combines “theos” (God) and “doron” (gift). The name has been used throughout history in various cultures, especially in Christian communities, and has been borne by several saints and historical figures.

Theodore Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Theodore in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#102021#102022#72023
Top 3 Rankings#72023#102021#102022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Theodore

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20237
(+3 from 2022)
11041
(+241 from 2022)
0.60295
202210
No change from 2021
10800
(+1212 from 2021)
0.57662
202110
(+13 from 2020)
9588
(+953 from 2020)
0.51174
202023
(+13 from 2019)
8635
(+742 from 2019)
0.46684
201936
(+8 from 2018)
7893
(+808 from 2018)
0.41071
201844
(+17 from 2017)
7085
(+1116 from 2017)
0.36450
201761
(+22 from 2016)
5969
(+1059 from 2016)
0.30160
201683
(+16 from 2015)
4910
(+756 from 2015)
0.24239
201599
(+27 from 2014)
4154
(+926 from 2014)
0.20319
2014126
(+41 from 2013)
3228
(+800 from 2013)
0.15752
2013167
(+27 from 2012)
2428
(+484 from 2012)
0.12016
2012194
(+36 from 2011)
1944
(+371 from 2011)
0.09580
2011230
(+27 from 2010)
1573
(+240 from 2010)
0.07743
2010257
(+19 from 2009)
1333
(+94 from 2009)
0.06488
2009276
(+17 from 2008)
1239
(+100 from 2008)
0.05842
2008293
(+7 from 2007)
1139
(+2 from 2007)
0.05224
2007300
(-5 from 2006)
1137
(+4 from 2006)
0.05133
2006295
(+4 from 2005)
1133
(+38 from 2005)
0.05168
2005299
(+14 from 2004)
1095
(+90 from 2004)
0.05147
2004313
(-4 from 2003)
1005
(+41 from 2003)
0.04755
2003309
(-9 from 2002)
964
(-11 from 2002)
0.04588
2002300
(+6 from 2001)
975
(+40 from 2001)
0.04718
2001306
(+6 from 2000)
935
(+1 from 2000)
0.04520
2000312
(+2 from 1999)
934
(+21 from 1999)
0.04472
1999314
(-25 from 1998)
913
(-70 from 1998)
0.04478
1998289
(+2 from 1997)
983
(+27 from 1997)
0.04848
1997291
(+3 from 1996)
956
(+51 from 1996)
0.04785
1996294
(-10 from 1995)
905
(-51 from 1995)
0.04517
1995284
(+7 from 1994)
956
(+16 from 1994)
0.04753
1994291
(-14 from 1993)
940
(-96 from 1993)
0.04612
1993277
(-18 from 1992)
1036
(-56 from 1992)
0.05016
1992259
(-8 from 1991)
1092
(-4 from 1991)
0.05202
1991251
(-18 from 1990)
1096
(-136 from 1990)
0.05171
1990233
(-17 from 1989)
1232
(-60 from 1989)
0.05725
1989216
(-5 from 1988)
1292
(+54 from 1988)
0.06164
1988211
(-5 from 1987)
1238
(+21 from 1987)
0.06183
1987206
(-6 from 1986)
1217
(-40 from 1986)
0.06240
1986200
No change from 1985
1257
(+46 from 1985)
0.06541
1985200
(+13 from 1984)
1211
(+142 from 1984)
0.06293
1984213
(-7 from 1983)
1069
(-87 from 1983)
0.05696
1983206
(+1 from 1982)
1156
(-35 from 1982)
0.06203
1982207
(+11 from 1981)
1191
(+58 from 1981)
0.06311
1981218
(-12 from 1980)
1133
(-61 from 1980)
0.06084
1980206
(-8 from 1979)
1194
(-44 from 1979)
0.06437
1979198
(-3 from 1978)
1238
(+26 from 1978)
0.06911
1978195
(-1 from 1977)
1212
(-11 from 1977)
0.07093
1977194
(-5 from 1976)
1223
(+50 from 1976)
0.07155
1976189
No change from 1975
1173
(-24 from 1975)
0.07185
1975189
(-9 from 1974)
1197
(-71 from 1974)
0.07378
1974180
(-5 from 1973)
1268
(-74 from 1973)
0.07778
1973175
(-1 from 1972)
1342
(-80 from 1972)
0.08317
1972174
(-8 from 1971)
1422
(-243 from 1971)
0.08494
1971166
(-6 from 1970)
1665
(-164 from 1970)
0.09159
1970160
(-7 from 1969)
1829
(-116 from 1969)
0.09602
1969153
(-4 from 1968)
1945
(+57 from 1968)
0.10633
1968149
No change from 1967
1888
(+33 from 1967)
0.10634
1967149
No change from 1966
1855
(-49 from 1966)
0.10425
1966149
(-6 from 1965)
1904
(-237 from 1965)
0.10475
1965143
(+9 from 1964)
2141
(-28 from 1964)
0.11301
1964152
(-10 from 1963)
2169
(-217 from 1963)
0.10700
1963142
(+4 from 1962)
2386
(+69 from 1962)
0.11557
1962146
(+5 from 1961)
2317
(+17 from 1961)
0.11024
1961151
(-2 from 1960)
2300
(-82 from 1960)
0.10663
1960149
(-3 from 1959)
2382
(-14 from 1959)
0.11001
1959146
(-6 from 1958)
2396
(-108 from 1958)
0.11059
1958140
(-8 from 1957)
2504
(-254 from 1957)
0.11620
1957132
(-13 from 1956)
2758
(-199 from 1956)
0.12600
1956119
(+1 from 1955)
2957
(-20 from 1955)
0.13778
1955120
(-5 from 1954)
2977
(-95 from 1954)
0.14242
1954115
(-3 from 1953)
3072
(+135 from 1953)
0.14847
1953112
(-12 from 1952)
2937
(-331 from 1952)
0.14669
1952100
(-1 from 1951)
3268
(+51 from 1951)
0.16561
195199
No change from 1950
3217
(+257 from 1950)
0.16828
195099
(+1 from 1949)
2960
(-81 from 1949)
0.16274
1949100
(+4 from 1948)
3041
(+213 from 1948)
0.16876
1948104
(-2 from 1947)
2828
(-99 from 1947)
0.15863
1947102
(-1 from 1946)
2927
(+315 from 1946)
0.15757
1946101
No change from 1945
2612
(+265 from 1945)
0.15827
1945101
(-5 from 1944)
2347
(-227 from 1944)
0.17113
194496
No change from 1943
2574
(-42 from 1943)
0.18529
194396
(-5 from 1942)
2616
(-48 from 1942)
0.17984
194291
(+4 from 1941)
2664
(+333 from 1941)
0.18916
194195
(-5 from 1940)
2331
(+25 from 1940)
0.18576
194090
No change from 1939
2306
(+110 from 1939)
0.19441
193990
(-6 from 1938)
2196
(-165 from 1938)
0.19377
193884
(+2 from 1937)
2361
(+46 from 1937)
0.20774
193786
(+1 from 1936)
2315
(+96 from 1936)
0.21168
193687
(-8 from 1935)
2219
(-214 from 1935)
0.20849
193579
(-5 from 1934)
2433
(-90 from 1934)
0.22747
193474
(-6 from 1933)
2523
(-88 from 1933)
0.23759
193368
(-1 from 1932)
2611
(-63 from 1932)
0.25593
193267
(+3 from 1931)
2674
(+7 from 1931)
0.24888
193170
(-3 from 1930)
2667
(-291 from 1930)
0.24930
193067
(-2 from 1929)
2958
(+56 from 1929)
0.26188
192965
(+1 from 1928)
2902
(-15 from 1928)
0.26201
192866
(-4 from 1927)
2917
(-207 from 1927)
0.25562
192762
(+1 from 1926)
3124
(-5 from 1926)
0.26887
192663
No change from 1925
3129
(-97 from 1925)
0.27317
192563
(+2 from 1924)
3226
(+1 from 1924)
0.28018
192465
(-3 from 1923)
3225
(+68 from 1923)
0.27587
192362
No change from 1922
3157
(-59 from 1922)
0.27882
192262
(+3 from 1921)
3216
(+44 from 1921)
0.28582
192165
(-2 from 1920)
3172
(-47 from 1920)
0.27875
192063
(-9 from 1919)
3219
(-205 from 1919)
0.29243
191954
(+10 from 1918)
3424
(+281 from 1918)
0.33723
191864
(-1 from 1917)
3143
(+334 from 1917)
0.29972
191763
(+2 from 1916)
2809
(+168 from 1916)
0.29282
191665
(-1 from 1915)
2641
(+137 from 1915)
0.28606
191564
No change from 1914
2504
(+575 from 1914)
0.28425
191464
(-4 from 1913)
1929
(+279 from 1913)
0.28230
191360
(-8 from 1912)
1650
(+89 from 1912)
0.30769
191252
(+4 from 1911)
1561
(+808 from 1911)
0.34577
191156
(-3 from 1910)
753
(+61 from 1910)
0.31194
191053
(-2 from 1909)
692
(+97 from 1909)
0.33187
190951
(-4 from 1908)
595
(-48 from 1908)
0.33642
190847
(-9 from 1907)
643
(-69 from 1907)
0.38649
190738
No change from 1906
712
(+24 from 1906)
0.44897
190638
(-5 from 1905)
688
(-146 from 1905)
0.47756
190533
(-3 from 1904)
834
No change from 1904
0.58227
190430
(+6 from 1903)
834
(+171 from 1903)
0.60215
190336
(-2 from 1902)
663
(+21 from 1902)
0.51267
190234
(+9 from 1901)
642
(+192 from 1901)
0.48362
190143
(+18 from 1900)
450
(+21 from 1900)
0.38930
190061
(+17 from 1899)
429
(+177 from 1899)
0.26461
189978
(-3 from 1898)
252
(-29 from 1898)
0.21876
189875
(+10 from 1897)
281
(+66 from 1897)
0.21272
189785
(-3 from 1896)
215
(-26 from 1896)
0.17631
189682
(+11 from 1895)
241
(+33 from 1895)
0.18672
189593
(-12 from 1894)
208
(-33 from 1894)
0.16424
189481
(+9 from 1893)
241
(+32 from 1893)
0.19297
189390
(-8 from 1892)
209
(-30 from 1892)
0.17267
189282
(-6 from 1891)
239
(+15 from 1891)
0.18182
189176
(+13 from 1890)
224
(+34 from 1890)
0.20501
189089
(-14 from 1889)
190
(-41 from 1889)
0.15873
188975
(+5 from 1888)
231
(-18 from 1888)
0.19407
188880
(+2 from 1887)
249
(+48 from 1887)
0.19168
188782
(-13 from 1886)
201
(-57 from 1886)
0.18388
188669
(+14 from 1885)
258
(+59 from 1885)
0.21673
188583
(-2 from 1884)
199
(-12 from 1884)
0.17163
188481
No change from 1883
211
(+26 from 1883)
0.17191
188381
(-6 from 1882)
185
(-47 from 1882)
0.16448
188275
(+3 from 1881)
232
(+54 from 1881)
0.19012
188178
(-8 from 1880)
178
(-54 from 1880)
0.16439
188070
First SSA data recorded
232
First SSA data recorded
0.19595

American States Popularity Rankings for Theodore

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#232021#142022#142023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#132021#42022#82023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#482021#362022#242023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#72021#52022#52023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#122021#52022#22023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#72021#32022#42023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#342021#262022#202023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#82021#42022#32023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#582021#502022#382023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#32021#32022#12023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#32021#42022#12023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#472021#312022#282023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#122021#72022#82023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#92021#22022#52023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#62021#32022#42023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#282021#242022#102023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#52021#42022#42023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#62021#82022#102023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#132021#132022#72023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#532021#252022#262023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#52021#32022#42023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#402021#282022#242023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#62021#32022#32023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#82021#42022#42023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#292021#212022#132023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#412021#172022#102023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#502021#392022#302023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#42021#42022#42023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#602021#602022#482023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#292021#152022#112023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#212021#82022#82023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#62021#22022#42023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#42021#42022#42023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#382021#342022#222023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#82021#92022#102023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#92021#22022#12023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2242021#1222022#1122023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#32021#22022#42023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#402021#312022#222023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#72021#12022#22023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#202021#42022#62023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#62021#32022#22023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#32021#62022#42023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#122021#62022#42023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#202021#122022#122023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#242021#352022#402023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#42021#32022#32023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#112021#182022#62023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#242021#242022#162023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#112021#42022#32023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#192021#352022#102023

Popularity Rankings for Theodore in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#62021#42022#32023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#82021#52022#52023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#82021#62022#62023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#182019#142020#112021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#392020#312021#232022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#402017

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#502021#572022#472023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#782021#492022#522023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#722021#552022#662023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1312022#2112023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1951949#1771950#2001951

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3382021#3592022#2792023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5872020#4482021#3942022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Theodore a Name for Boys or Girls?

Theodore is a boy’s name. Its strong, classic sound and rich historical and cultural background make it a well-loved name for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Theodore

Theodore in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Theodore Roosevelt (Politician, 1858–1919): The 26th President of the United States, remembered for his progressive policies and conservation efforts.
  • Theodore Dreiser (Author, 1871–1945): An American novelist and journalist, celebrated for his naturalistic works, including "Sister Carrie" and "An American Tragedy."
  • Theodore Geisel (Author, 1904–1991): Better known as Dr. Seuss, an American children's author, political cartoonist, and animator.
  • Theodore Bikel (Actor, 1924–2015): An Austrian-American actor, folk singer, and musician, notable for his performances in film and theater.
  • Theodore Sturgeon (Author, 1918–1985): An American science fiction and horror writer, famous for his novel "More Than Human."
  • Theodore Hesburgh (Educator, 1917–2015): An American priest and academic, who served as the president of the University of Notre Dame for 35 years.
  • Theodore Maiman (Physicist, 1927–2007): An American physicist, credited with inventing the first working laser.
  • Theodore "Teddy" Flood ("Westworld," 2016 TV Series): A host in the Westworld park who experiences a tragic and complex storyline.
  • "Theodore" (2013 Film): Follows a lonely writer who develops an emotional relationship with an AI operating system.
  • Theodore Laurence ("Little Women," 1868 Novel by Louisa May Alcott): A wealthy young man who becomes a close friend to the March sisters.
  • Theodore "Theo" Huxtable ("The Cosby Show," 1984 TV Series): The only son in the Huxtable family, known for his charm and sense of humor.
  • "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer" (2010 Novel by John Grisham): A legal thriller featuring a thirteen-year-old who dreams of becoming a lawyer.
  • Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt ("Night at the Museum," 2006 Film Series): The 26th President of the United States, brought to life as a wax figure in the museum.
  • Theodore Nott ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series by J.K. Rowling): A Slytherin student and a minor character in the Harry Potter series.
  • Theodore Bagwell ("Prison Break," 2005 TV Series): Also known as "T-Bag," a cunning and dangerous inmate.
  • Theodore Finch ("All the Bright Places," 2015 Novel by Jennifer Niven): A troubled teenager who forms a life-changing bond with Violet Markey.
  • Theodore ("Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers," 1989 TV Series): One of the main characters in the animated series, part of the heroic chipmunk duo.
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota, USA): A national park named after President Theodore Roosevelt, known for its badlands and diverse wildlife.
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island (Washington, D.C., USA): An island and national memorial dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt, known for its walking trails and natural habitats.

Similar Names to Theodore

  • Thaddeus
  • Theon
  • Theodric
  • Thoren
  • Torin
  • Theron
  • Thane
  • Tilden

Sibling Names for Theodore