Carlo vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carlo

Boy #918 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"free man"

Origin: Old High German

Cultural Roots

Italian Spanish Portuguese Filipino

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#918
Total SSA Count
253
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Carl, Lito, Car

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carlo →

Popularity Comparison

Carlo Rank #918
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #918 for Carlo.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carlo ___

  • Carlo Antonio
  • Carlo Giovanni
  • Carlo Matteo
  • Carlo Lorenzo
  • Carlo Salvatore
  • Carlo Francesco

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 Carlo

Marco Luca Sofia Giulia Lorenzo

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 Carlo or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Carlo at #918 in the United States.

What do Carlo and Theodore mean?

Carlo means "free man" (Old High German origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Carlo and Theodore boy or girl names?

Carlo is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Carlo ← Full profile: Theodore Browse all baby names