Theseus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: THEE-see-us //ˈθiːsiəs//
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: mythical hero; of the house of Theseus
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Theseus has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the verb 'thesis,' meaning 'to set' or 'to place.' The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Greek mythology, where Theseus was a legendary hero and king of Athens, often associated with various myths and heroic deeds. The name entered the Latin language as 'Theseus,' which was then adopted into Old French before making its way into Middle English, where it retained its classical form.
Historically, Theseus is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, known for his adventures, including the slaying of the Minotaur in the labyrinth of Crete and his role in the unification of Attica. His narrative is documented in various ancient texts, including works by playwrights such as Euripides and Plutarch, who wrote about his life and exploits in the 1st century.
Theseus is also featured in the 'Argonautica' by Apollonius of Rhodes, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE, highlighting his significance in ancient Greek literature and culture. Culturally, Theseus symbolizes the archetype of the hero, embodying traits such as bravery, intelligence, and leadership.
His stories have been interpreted as allegories for the struggles of civilization against chaos and barbarism. The name has been associated with themes of justice and moral integrity, reflecting the values of ancient Athenian society.
Additionally, the diminutive form 'Theseus' has been used in various adaptations and retellings of his myths, further embedding the name in the cultural consciousness of Western literature.
Famous people named Theseus
In this section, you will find notable people named Theseus. 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 Theseus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Theseus 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.
Theseus is a mythological hero best known for slaying the Minotaur, founding Athens, and his adventures in the Labyrinth.
Fictional characters named Theseus
The following list of fictional characters named Theseus 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.
Theseus is a fictional character from Greek mythology and various literary works. He is a legendary hero known for his adventures, including slaying the Minotaur and founding the city of Athens.
Theseus is a fictional character from the play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. He is the Duke of Athens who oversees the events of the play, including the romantic entanglements of the characters.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Theseus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Theseus was first seen in the United States in 2010.
Theseus has ranked as high as #1350 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in Texas, California, and Arizona.
In the past 5 years the name Theseus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Theseus 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 Theseus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Theseus (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
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 Theseus.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 |