Richard vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Richard

Boy #232 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong ruler, powerful leader"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#232
Total SSA Count
1,539
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Rick, Rich, Richie

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Richard' can be twisted to 'bitch'"}

Full profile for Richard →

Popularity Comparison

Richard Rank #232
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #232 for Richard.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Richard ___

  • Richard James
  • Richard William
  • Richard Thomas
  • Richard Henry
  • Richard Andrew
  • Richard George

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 Richard

William Charles Edward Margaret Catherine

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 Richard or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Richard at #232 in the United States.

What do Richard and Theodore mean?

Richard means "strong ruler, powerful leader" (Germanic origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Richard and Theodore boy or girl names?

Richard is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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