Ryan vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#87
Total SSA Count
3,892
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ryan →

Popularity Comparison

Ryan Rank #87
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #87 for Ryan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ryan ___

  • Ryan James
  • Ryan Michael
  • Ryan Patrick
  • Ryan Thomas
  • Ryan Cole
  • Ryan Joseph

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 Ryan

Connor Aidan Brendan Kaitlyn Meghan

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 Ryan or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Ryan at #87 in the United States.

What do Ryan and Theodore mean?

Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Ryan and Theodore boy or girl names?

Ryan is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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