John vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

John

Boy #21 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"Yahweh is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish American Christian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#21
Total SSA Count
8,047
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Johnny, Jack, Jonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for John →

Popularity Comparison

John Rank #21
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #21 for John.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

John ___

  • John Thomas
  • John Michael
  • John William
  • John Patrick
  • John Edward
  • John Henry

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 John

Mary James Catherine Patrick Elizabeth

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 John or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to John at #21 in the United States.

What do John and Theodore mean?

John means "Yahweh is gracious" (Hebrew origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are John and Theodore boy or girl names?

John is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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