Ben vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ben

Boy #802 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"short form of Benjamin: son of the right hand"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew German Dutch American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#802
Total SSA Count
313
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Benny, Benji

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ben →

Popularity Comparison

Ben Rank #802
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #802 for Ben.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ben ___

  • Ben James
  • Ben Alexander
  • Ben Oliver
  • Ben Thomas
  • Ben William
  • Ben Samuel

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ben

Sam Eli Nora Lucy Max

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ben or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Ben at #802 in the United States.

What do Ben and Theodore mean?

Ben means "short form of Benjamin: son of the right hand" (Hebrew origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Ben and Theodore boy or girl names?

Ben is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Theodore vs Ben Ben vs Tony Ben vs Avyaan Ben vs Shlomo Ben vs Aurelio
← Full profile: Ben ← Full profile: Theodore Browse all baby names