"divine gift"
Origin: Greek
Language: Latin
Theodore
Pronunciation: [ th-EE-uhd-awr ]
Boy Name
#4 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
Presidential gravitas with the coziest nickname
English
French
Greek
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"gift of God"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
"divine present"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
The Story of Theodore
Theodore comes from the Greek 'Theodoros,' a combination of 'theos' (god) and 'doron' (gift) — literally 'gift of God.' The name was borne by saints, Byzantine emperors, and popes, giving it an exceptionally rich history across Eastern and Western Christianity. After centuries of use in Europe, it fell from fashion in the 20th century and is now enjoying a remarkable renaissance.
Theodore has been one of the fastest-rising boy names in the US, entering the top 10 in 2020. The adorable nicknames Theo and Teddy give it warmth, while Theodore itself carries gravitas. President Theodore Roosevelt's 'Teddy bear' story keeps it culturally alive.
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th US President, is one of America's most iconic leaders — his association gives the name vigor, courage, and patriotism. The name also holds strong Orthodox Christian significance, honoring several Saint Theodores revered across Eastern Europe.
Fun Facts
- Theodore Roosevelt inspired the 'Teddy bear' after refusing to shoot a tied-up bear on a hunting trip in 1902
- Theodore entered the US top 10 in 2020 for the first time in decades
- Fyodor (Russian), Tivadar (Hungarian), and Tudor (Welsh) are all linguistic relatives of Theodore
Theodore in Other Languages
Greek
Theodoros
French
Theodore
Italian
Teodoro
Russian
Fyodor
Spanish
Teodoro
Famous People Named Theodore
T
Theo Walcott
Athlete
1989
English professional footballer who played for Arsenal and England
T
Theodore Geisel
Writer
1904
American children's author known as Dr. Seuss, creator of The Cat in the Hat
T
Theodore Dreiser
Writer
1871
American naturalist novelist, author of An American Tragedy
T
Theodore Roosevelt
Politician
1858
26th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize winner and conservationist
T
Theodore Bagwell Fictional
Other
Memorable antagonist T-Bag from the TV series Prison Break
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4
- Total SSA Count
- 12,011
- Cultural Origins
- English French Greek
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Theo
Teddy
Ted
Pairs Well With
Theodore James
Theodore William
Theodore Alexander
Theodore John
Theodore Henry
Theodore Arthur
Theodore Samuel
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Theodore is also used as a girl name, ranked #8674.
View Theodore as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Theodore
What does the name Theodore mean?
"divine gift" (from Greek). "gift of God" (from Greek). "divine present" (from Greek). Theodore comes from the Greek 'Theodoros,' a combination of 'theos' (god) and 'doron' (gift) — literally 'gift of God.' The name was borne by saints, Byzantine emperors, and popes, giving it an exceptionally rich history across Eastern and Western Christianity. After centuries of use in Europe, it fell from fashion in the 20th century and is now enjoying a remarkable renaissance.
What is the origin of the name Theodore?
Theodore has Greek, English, and French origins. In Greek, it means "divine gift". In Greek, it means "gift of God". In Greek, it means "divine present".
Is Theodore a boy or girl name?
Theodore is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4. As a girl name, it is ranked #8674. Theodore is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Theodore?
Theodore is pronounced th-EE-uhd-awr.
How popular is the name Theodore?
Theodore is currently ranked #4 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Theodore?
Common nicknames for Theodore include Theo, Teddy, and Ted.
What are good middle names for Theodore?
Popular middle name pairings include Theodore James, Theodore William, Theodore Alexander, Theodore John, Theodore Henry, Theodore Arthur, and Theodore Samuel.
What are good sibling names for Theodore?
Names that pair well with Theodore as siblings include Olivia, Charlotte, Amelia, Eleanor, Oliver, Henry, and August.
How many syllables does Theodore have?
Theodore has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Theodore a common or rare name?
Theodore is a very popular name, ranked #4 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Theodore
Theodore is a boy name with English, French, and Greek origins . The name means "divine gift" in Greek .
Is Theodore a boy or girl name? Theodore is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #8,674. Theodore is more commonly used as a boy name.
Theodore is currently ranked #4 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Theodore has 3 syllables and is pronounced th-EE-uhd-awr, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Theodore include Theo, Teddy, and Ted. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Theodore include Theo, Theoden, Theodor, Theophilus, Theon . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.