Howard vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Howard

Boy #1,056 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"high guardian, high watchman"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,056
Total SSA Count
207
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Howie, Ward

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Howard →

Popularity Comparison

Howard Rank #1,056
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #1056 for Howard.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Howard ___

  • Howard James
  • Howard Lee
  • Howard Dean
  • Howard Allen
  • Howard Eugene
  • Howard Albert

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 Howard

Clarence Bernard Edmund Dorothy Mildred

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 Howard or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Howard at #1056 in the United States.

What do Howard and Theodore mean?

Howard means "high guardian, high watchman" (Old Norse origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Howard and Theodore boy or girl names?

Howard is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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