Theodore

Theodore Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

THEE-oh-dor

Meaning of Theodore: Theodore derives from Greek Theodoros, a compound of theos (god) and doron (gift), meaning gift of God. The name appears in Greek records from the 5th century BCE and entered Latin as Theodorus. According to etymology records, at least 28 Christian saints bore the name.

US Rank 2024

No. 4

Births

12,011

Peak Year

2024

Saint Theodore of Tarsus served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 668 to 690 and reorganized the English church. He established schools and a unified ecclesiastical structure across Anglo-Saxon England. Byzantine Emperor Theodore I Laskaris (1205-1222) kept the name prominent in Eastern Christianity.

President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) gave the name its strongest American association. His presidency from 1901 to 1909 featured conservation policies and the Panama Canal treaty. His image as a vigorous outdoorsman made Theodore synonymous with American energy and leadership.

What Does Theodore Mean? Origin & Etymology

SSA records at ssa.gov shows Theodore re-entering the US top 10 in 2019 and reaching #8 in 2023 with 12,440 births, its highest rank since 1930. In England and Wales, the name entered the top 10 in 2021. The standalone diminutive Theo ranked #180 in the US in 2023.

International variants include Théodore (French), Teodoro (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese), and Fjodor (Russian). The diminutives Theo, Ted, and Teddy all chart independently in SSA records. Theological meaning, presidential legacy, and versatile nickname options support Theodore's continued rise as of 2024.

Name day: November 9

How Popular Is Theodore?

Numerology & Symbolism of Theodore

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

T(2) + H(8) + E(5) + O(6) + D(4) + O(6) + R(9) + E(5) = 45 = 9

Destiny number

Compassion

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Vision

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Adaptability

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 8

Vowels / consonants 4 / 4

Birthstone Garnet

Lucky color Gold

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

Theodore – Similar Names & Alternatives

Lucas

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, via Greek…

Sebastian

From Greek “sebastós” meaning venerable or revered, via…

Alexander

From Greek “alexein” (to defend) + “aner” (man), meaning…

Luke

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, a region of…

victory of the people

Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity

Frequently Asked Questions about Theodore

What does Theodore mean?

Theodore means gift of God, from Greek theos (God) and dōron (gift). Early Christians adopted it to honor martyrs, and it carried that devout meaning through medieval Europe.

What is the origin of Theodore?

Theodore originates from Greek Theodoros. Saint Theodore of Amasea (died c. 306) established its Christian use. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) gave it lasting American cultural weight.

How popular is Theodore in the US?

Theodore ranks 4 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 10 in 2021. Nickname Theo also ranks independently in the boys’ top 30.

What are variants of Theodore?

Variants include Theodor (German/Scandinavian), Teodoro (Italian/Spanish), Fedor (Slavic), and Tudor (Welsh). Common nicknames are Theo, Ted, and Teddy.

Is Theodore more popular for girls or boys?

Theodore is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 4 for boys in the US in 2024. The feminine form Theodora ranks outside the top 200 but is rising in the US.

Theodore – Name Variants & Spellings

Variant	Language
Todor	Bulgarian/Serbian
Theo	English/French short form
Theodor	German/Scandinavian/Romanian
Theodoros	Greek
Feodor	Russian
Fyodor	Russian
Teo	Spanish/Italian short form
Teodoro	Spanish/Italian/Portuguese
Tudor	Welsh

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