Todd Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationTAHD / /tɒd/English; Old Norse
Meaning
English: fox; Old Norse: a diminutive of 'Thord', meaning 'Thor's warrior'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Todd has its roots in Middle English, derived from the word "todde," which means "fox." This term is believed to have originated from the Old English "tod," which also referred to a fox. The etymological journey continues through the Proto-Germanic *tōdaz, which is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, emphasizing the animal's significance in various cultures. The transition of the name into English can be traced back to the medieval period, where it began to be used as a surname before evolving into a given name by the 16th century.
Historically, the name Todd appears in various contexts, particularly in England, where it was used as a surname for families known for their cunning or cleverness, traits often associated with foxes. One notable figure is Todd of the 16th century, a character in English folklore, which further cemented the name's association with cleverness and adaptability. The name's usage as a first name gained traction in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland, where it was sometimes used as a diminutive of the name "Tobias."
Culturally, the name Todd has been linked to various symbolic meanings, often reflecting traits attributed to the fox, such as intelligence and agility. The name has also found resonance in literature and popular culture, where foxes are frequently depicted as clever and resourceful characters. This connection to the fox has allowed the name to maintain a certain charm and appeal throughout its history, contributing to its endurance in various forms of storytelling and representation.
Trend Summary
Todd experienced peak popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Tadd
- Tode
International Variants
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Famous people named Todd
Todd McFarlane is a comic book artist and writer best known for Spawn, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Venom.
Todd Phillips is a director and producer best known for The Hangover, Joker, and Old School.
Todd Rundgren is a musician and producer best known for Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light, and Bang the Drum All Day.
Todd Howard is a video game designer best known for The Elder Scrolls series and Fallout series.
Todd Chrisley is a television personality best known for Chrisley Knows Best.
Fictional characters named Todd
Todd Anderson is a fictional character from the film Dead Poets Society. He is a shy and introverted student who learns to embrace his individuality through poetry and the influence of his teacher.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Todd was first seen in the United States in 1881. Todd has ranked as high as #51 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Todd has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Todd (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 10 | |
| PA | 9 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| MO | 6 | |
| UT | 5 | |
| NC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 7 |
| 1882 | 6 |
| 1887 | 5 |
| 1900 | 7 |
| 1903 | 6 |
| 1904 | 5 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1913 | 10 |
| 1914 | 10 |
| 1915 | 19 |
| 1916 | 20 |
| 1917 | 21 |
| 1918 | 15 |
| 1919 | 9 |
| 1920 | 26 |
| 1921 | 29 |
| 1922 | 16 |
| 1923 | 22 |
| 1924 | 33 |
| 1925 | 20 |
| 1926 | 21 |
| 1927 | 11 |
| 1928 | 15 |
| 1929 | 35 |
| 1930 | 28 |
| 1931 | 18 |
| 1932 | 27 |
| 1933 | 27 |
| 1934 | 32 |
| 1935 | 37 |
| 1936 | 42 |
| 1937 | 51 |
| 1938 | 68 |
| 1939 | 68 |
| 1940 | 88 |
| 1941 | 99 |
| 1942 | 134 |
| 1943 | 161 |
| 1944 | 176 |
| 1945 | 163 |
| 1946 | 237 |
| 1947 | 304 |
| 1948 | 346 |
| 1949 | 461 |
| 1950 | 593 |
| 1951 | 796 |
| 1952 | 960 |
| 1953 | 1,102 |
| 1954 | 1,291 |
| 1955 | 1,615 |
| 1956 | 2,008 |
| 1957 | 2,405 |
| 1958 | 3,467 |
| 1959 | 4,332 |
| 1960 | 5,750 |
| 1961 | 9,753 |
| 1962 | 12,751 |
| 1963 | 14,789 |
| 1964 | 15,349 |
| 1965 | 13,934 |
| 1966 | 13,557 |
| 1967 | 13,454 |
| 1968 | 14,659 |
| 1969 | 14,748 |
| 1970 | 14,425 |
| 1971 | 12,056 |
| 1972 | 9,968 |
| 1973 | 8,678 |
| 1974 | 7,846 |
| 1975 | 7,152 |
| 1976 | 6,441 |
| 1977 | 6,278 |
| 1978 | 5,497 |
| 1979 | 4,984 |
| 1980 | 4,128 |
| 1981 | 3,953 |
| 1982 | 3,600 |
| 1983 | 3,337 |
| 1984 | 3,105 |
| 1985 | 2,939 |
| 1986 | 2,585 |
| 1987 | 2,355 |
| 1988 | 2,201 |
| 1989 | 2,125 |
| 1990 | 1,976 |
| 1991 | 1,743 |
| 1992 | 1,425 |
| 1993 | 1,238 |
| 1994 | 1,141 |
| 1995 | 1,028 |
| 1996 | 890 |
| 1997 | 843 |
| 1998 | 703 |
| 1999 | 627 |
| 2000 | 583 |
| 2001 | 530 |
| 2002 | 510 |
| 2003 | 466 |
| 2004 | 441 |
| 2005 | 390 |
| 2006 | 354 |
| 2007 | 326 |
| 2008 | 287 |
| 2009 | 235 |
| 2010 | 264 |
| 2011 | 244 |
| 2012 | 237 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 180 |
| 2015 | 212 |
| 2016 | 185 |
| 2017 | 161 |
| 2018 | 158 |
| 2019 | 157 |
| 2020 | 123 |
| 2021 | 114 |
| 2022 | 123 |
| 2023 | 112 |
| 2024 | 108 |