Theodore Boy

Popularity: #4 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: THEE-uh-dor //ˈθiːədɔːr//

Origin: Greek; English

Meaning: Greek: 'gift of God'; English: 'divine gift'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Theodore originates from the Greek name Θεόδωρος (Theódoros), which is composed of the elements "theos" meaning "god" and "doron" meaning "gift." Thus, the literal translation of Theodore is "gift of God." The name was adopted into Latin as Theodorus and subsequently entered Old French as Théodore before being introduced into Middle English. This etymological journey reflects the name's deep roots in classical antiquity and its association with divine favor.

Historically, the name Theodore has been borne by several notable figures, including saints and scholars. One of the most prominent early bearers was Saint Theodore of Amasea, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century.

His veneration in the Christian tradition helped to popularize the name in various forms across Europe. The name also appears in the context of Byzantine emperors, notably Theodore I Laskaris, who ruled in the 13th century, further cementing its significance in historical narratives.

The cultural resonance of the name Theodore is evident in its association with nobility and virtue, often linked to the idea of divine providence. The name has been used in various literary and artistic works throughout history, symbolizing wisdom and strength.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Theo or Ted have emerged, reflecting affection and familiarity while maintaining the name's original connotation. The enduring legacy of Theodore is marked by its frequent use in religious and royal contexts, highlighting its importance across different cultures and eras.

Famous people named Theodore

In this section, you will find notable people named Theodore. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Theodore who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Theodore who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Theodore Roosevelt is a U.S. President best known for leading the Progressive Era, the construction of the Panama Canal, and the Square Deal.

Theodore Dreiser is an author best known for Sister Carrie, An American Tragedy, and The Financier.

Theodore Melfi is a director and screenwriter best known for St. Vincent, Hidden Figures, and The Last Face.

Theodore Bikel is an actor and folk singer best known for The African Queen, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Defiant Ones.

Theodore Sturgeon is a science fiction author best known for More Than Human, The Dreaming Jewels, and his contributions to the genre.

Fictional characters named Theodore

The following list of fictional characters named Theodore is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Theodore 'Teddy' Duchamp is a fictional character from the novella The Body by Stephen King, which was adapted into the film Stand by Me. He is a loyal friend who is known for his tough exterior and emotional depth, often grappling with his father's abusive behavior.

Theodore 'Theo' Decker is a fictional character from the novel The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. He is a young boy whose life is dramatically altered after surviving a terrorist attack at a museum, leading him on a tumultuous journey of loss and survival.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Theodore, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AlexanderBenjaminCharlotteEleanorMargaretOliver

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Theodore. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

TheodoraTobiasNathanielSebastianMaximilianAugustusLeonardFrederick

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Theodore was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Theodore has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Theodore has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Theodore is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Theodore was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Theodore.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 13,362 13,355 7
2024 12,082 12,069 13
2023 11,104 11,093 11
2022 10,839 10,824 15
2021 9,608 9,600 8
2020 8,652 8,638 14
2019 7,903 7,896 7
2018 7,088 7,088 0
2017 5,973 5,973 0
2016 4,917 4,910 7
2015 4,155 4,155 0
2014 3,228 3,228 0
2013 2,429 2,429 0
2012 1,950 1,945 5
2011 1,573 1,573 0
2010 1,333 1,333 0
2009 1,239 1,239 0
2008 1,139 1,139 0
2007 1,137 1,137 0
2006 1,133 1,133 0
2005 1,095 1,095 0
2004 1,005 1,005 0
2003 964 964 0
2002 975 975 0
2001 935 935 0
2000 934 934 0
1999 913 913 0
1998 984 984 0
1997 956 956 0
1996 905 905 0
1995 956 956 0
1994 941 941 0
1993 1,036 1,036 0
1992 1,093 1,093 0
1991 1,098 1,098 0
1990 1,231 1,231 0
1989 1,293 1,293 0
1988 1,248 1,239 9
1987 1,229 1,218 11
1986 1,269 1,256 13
1985 1,227 1,211 16
1984 1,074 1,069 5
1983 1,167 1,156 11
1982 1,195 1,189 6
1981 1,144 1,133 11
1980 1,200 1,194 6
1979 1,245 1,238 7
1978 1,224 1,212 12
1977 1,231 1,223 8
1976 1,187 1,174 13
1975 1,202 1,197 5
1974 1,288 1,269 19
1973 1,350 1,342 8
1972 1,419 1,419 0
1971 1,675 1,664 11
1970 1,837 1,829 8
1969 1,957 1,945 12
1968 1,892 1,887 5
1967 1,867 1,854 13
1966 1,912 1,905 7
1965 2,147 2,140 7
1964 2,179 2,169 10
1963 2,396 2,387 9
1962 2,328 2,316 12
1961 2,318 2,303 15
1960 2,393 2,382 11
1959 2,407 2,399 8
1958 2,518 2,503 15
1957 2,768 2,760 8
1956 2,960 2,955 5
1955 2,983 2,976 7
1954 3,087 3,074 13
1953 2,950 2,937 13
1952 3,280 3,270 10
1951 3,223 3,216 7
1950 2,968 2,960 8
1949 3,047 3,041 6
1948 2,841 2,830 11
1947 2,933 2,928 5
1946 2,618 2,612 6
1945 2,353 2,347 6
1944 2,585 2,574 11
1943 2,621 2,616 5
1942 2,671 2,665 6
1941 2,335 2,330 5
1940 2,313 2,306 7
1939 2,207 2,196 11
1938 2,369 2,360 9
1937 2,328 2,317 11
1936 2,228 2,219 9
1935 2,439 2,433 6
1934 2,541 2,523 18
1933 2,623 2,611 12
1932 2,689 2,674 15
1931 2,686 2,666 20
1930 2,978 2,958 20
1929 2,933 2,903 30
1928 2,941 2,916 25
1927 3,148 3,124 24
1926 3,146 3,129 17
1925 3,241 3,226 15
1924 3,240 3,225 15
1923 3,176 3,157 19
1922 3,230 3,216 14
1921 3,179 3,172 7
1920 3,235 3,219 16
1919 3,441 3,424 17
1918 3,159 3,143 16
1917 2,820 2,809 11
1916 2,649 2,641 8
1915 2,511 2,504 7
1914 1,936 1,929 7
1913 1,656 1,650 6
1912 1,569 1,561 8
1911 763 753 10
1910 700 692 8
1909 603 595 8
1908 648 643 5
1907 712 712 0
1906 693 688 5
1905 834 834 0
1904 834 834 0
1903 668 663 5
1902 642 642 0
1901 456 450 6
1900 429 429 0
1899 252 252 0
1898 281 281 0
1897 215 215 0
1896 241 241 0
1895 208 208 0
1894 241 241 0
1893 209 209 0
1892 239 239 0
1891 224 224 0
1890 190 190 0
1889 231 231 0
1888 249 249 0
1887 201 201 0
1886 258 258 0
1885 199 199 0
1884 211 211 0
1883 185 185 0
1882 232 232 0
1881 178 178 0
1880 232 232 0

Top States for Theodore (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 1,095
9%
TX 832
7%
NY 678
6%
OH 595
5%
FL 563
5%
IL 509
4%
PA 506
4%
MI 469
4%
NC 388
3%
WA 354
3%
VA 347
3%
IN 341
3%
MA 328
3%
MN 326
3%
MO 303
3%
NJ 288
2%
WI 284
2%
CO 280
2%
GA 275
2%
TN 266
2%
AZ 241
2%
OR 189
2%
UT 183
2%
SC 169
1%
MD 168
1%
OK 167
1%
CT 164
1%
KY 164
1%
KS 163
1%
IA 140
1%
NE 122
1%
LA 104
1%
ID 100
1%
AL 98
1%
NH 91
1%
AR 74
1%
ME 69
1%
NV 54
0%
WV 50
0%
MT 49
0%
NM 48
0%
DC 48
0%
ND 45
0%
RI 44
0%
SD 42
0%
AK 40
0%
MS 39
0%
HI 37
0%
DE 32
0%
VT 27
0%
WY 23
0%