Theodore

Gift of God — a boy name of Greek origin

GenderBoy
OriginGreek
MeaningGift of God
PronunciationTHEE-uh-dor

Popularity of Theodore in the United States

#4Rank in 2025
13,355Births in 2025
#4 in 2024Peak Popularity
↑ Rising10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Theodore

Theodore derives from the Greek name Theodoros, composed of "theos" (god) and "doron" (gift), literally meaning "gift of God." The name was popular among early Christians and was borne by several saints, including Theodore of Amasea, a Roman soldier martyred for his faith. It was also the name of two Byzantine emperors. In the United States, the name is strongly associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, whose nickname "Teddy" became the inspiration for the teddy bear. Theodore has experienced a remarkable revival in the 21st century, climbing into the top 10 in many English-speaking countries.

Theodore Around the World

Theodore is used in 1 languages worldwide, with 15+ international variants.

Languages
English
Details

Female FormTheodora

International Variants
TivadarHungarian
TheodorFinnish
Fyodor
Feodor
TeodorPolish
Fedor
TeodoroItalian
TheodorusDutch
ThéodoreFrench
Fiódor
Fiodor
FjodorEstonian
FedirUkrainian
TheodorosGreek
Tódor

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Theodore

TheoTedTeddy

Famous People Named Theodore

  • Theodore Roosevelt — 26th President of the United States
  • Theodor Seuss Geisel — American author known as Dr. Seuss
  • Theodore Dreiser — American novelist and journalist

Sibling Name Ideas for Theodore

Looking for names that pair well with Theodore? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Theodore mean?

Theodore is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Gift of God." Theodore derives from the Greek name Theodoros, composed of "theos" (god) and "doron" (gift), literally meaning "gift of God." The name was popular among early Christians and was borne by several saints, including Theodore of Amasea, a Roman soldier martyred for his faith.

How do you pronounce Theodore?

Theodore is pronounced THEE-uh-dor. Common variations include Theodor, Teodoro, Fyodor.

Is Theodore a boy name?

Yes, Theodore is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Theo, Ted, Teddy.

Need More Name Ideas?

Like Theodore? Our AI Name Generator suggests personalized baby names based on your preferences, surname, and cultural background.

Try Baby Name Generator