Mary vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Mary

Girl #132 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sea of bitterness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish Christian Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#132
Total SSA Count
2,196
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Molly, Polly, May

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mary →

Popularity Comparison

Mary Rank #132
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #132 for Mary.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Mary ___

  • Mary Grace
  • Mary Elizabeth
  • Mary Jane
  • Mary Ann
  • Mary Rose
  • Mary Claire

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 Mary

Anne Elizabeth John James Margaret

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 Mary or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Mary at #132 in the United States.

What do Mary and Theodore mean?

Mary means "sea of bitterness" (Hebrew origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Mary and Theodore boy or girl names?

Mary is primarily a girl name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Theodore vs Mary Mary vs Jordyn Mary vs Arabella Mary vs Cora Mary vs Eleanor
← Full profile: Mary ← Full profile: Theodore Browse all baby names