Theodore, from the Greek theos and doron, literally means gift of God — which is quite a lot for a baby to carry, until you realize the name comes pre-loaded with nicknames. Teddy. Theo. Ted. Each one a different register, a different life. Theodore Roosevelt lent it bully-pulpit energy; Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) gave it whimsy. After decades in the wings, it has surged into the American top ten, carried by parents who want gravitas with a soft landing. Three syllables that move from marble to velvet. Bookish, presidential, sweet at bedtime. A full suit with the jacket unbuttoned.
Popularity
1880 to today
US SSA data. Lower rank number means more popular. A flat line at the top of the chart means the name did not rank in the top 1000.
Nicknames
- Theo
- Ted
- Teddy
Middle name ideas
All middle names for TheodoreFamous people
- Theodore Roosevelt — 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 (1858–1919)
- Ted Bundy — American serial killer (1946–1989)
- Glenn T. Seaborg — American chemist (1912–1999)
- Theodore Dreiser — American novelist and journalist (1871–1945)
- Ted Kaczynski — American domestic terrorist, mathematician and anarchist (1942–2023)
In fiction
No fictional associations tracked.
Sibling name ideas
- Jack
- Samuel
- Michael
- James
- Daniel
Similar energy
- Jack
- Samuel
- Michael
- James
- Daniel
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Names like Theodore
Jack
SteadyEnglish · boy
English diminutive of John; 'God is gracious'.
Samuel
SteadyEnglish · boy
Hebrew 'heard by God'.
Michael
SteadyEnglish · boy
Hebrew 'who is like God?'.
James
SteadyEnglish · boy
English form of Jacob; 'supplanter'.
Daniel
SteadyEnglish · boy
Hebrew 'God is my judge'.