Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Theodore
BoyGreek· “gift of God”
- Meaning
- gift of God
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- THEE-uh-dor
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #4
- US babies 2025
- 13,355
- Best rank
- #4 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Theodore
Theodore is a Greek name that means “gift of God”.
Theodore comes from the Greek Theodoros, from theos, god, and doron, gift. Several early saints bore it, including Theodore of Tarsus, a seventh-century archbishop of Canterbury, and the Russian form Fyodor was used by tsars. In the United States the name is linked with President Theodore Roosevelt, whose nickname Teddy inspired the teddy bear. After a quiet stretch, Theodore has returned strongly as a vintage revival. It offers a range of nicknames, from Theo and Teddy to Ted, so it can feel scholarly or playful as needed.
Popularity over time
Theodore has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #4 in 2024, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 13,355 were named Theodore. In 2025, 13,355 babies were named Theodore, and it ranked #4 nationally. That is 221% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #63 in 1920, #99 in 1950, #206 in 1980, #312 in 2000, #259 in 2010, and #4 in 2025. Of the 317,206 US boys named Theodore since records began, 21% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 40,530 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Henry, Mateo, Oliver, Elias, and Ezra.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Theodore ranked highest in Michigan, Minnesota, and Kansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #1 | 490 |
| Minnesota | #1 | 339 |
| Kansas | #1 | 183 |
| New Hampshire | #1 | 101 |
| Maine | #1 | 83 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Theodore is usually pronounced THEE-uh-dor, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with T and ends in “-re”.
Middle names for Theodore
A few middle names that flow with Theodore: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Theodore
Similar names
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Lists that include Theodore
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Theodore mean?
Theodore is a Greek name that means “gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Theodore?
Theodore has Greek roots. Theodore comes from the Greek Theodoros, from theos, god, and doron, gift.
Is Theodore a popular name?
Yes. Theodore ranked #4 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Theodore a boy or girl name?
Theodore is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Theodore?
Theodore is usually pronounced THEE-uh-dor. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings