Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Theodore is a name of Greek origin that means 'gift of God'. It has evolved through various languages, maintaining its core meaning. The name is associated with nobility and wisdom and has gained popularity since the early centuries due to its connection with saints. There is no specific biblical relevance. Notable people with this name include several influential figures in politics and literature.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈθiːədɔr/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Theodore is derived from the Greek name 'Theodoros', which means 'gift of God'. It is composed of the elements 'theos' meaning 'God' and 'doron' meaning 'gift'.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Theodoros (Greek), Theodorus (Latin), Teodor (Old Church Slavonic), Theodor (Old French), Theodore (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Theodore gained popularity in the Christian world during the early centuries, especially due to the veneration of several saints named Theodore. It became more common in English-speaking countries during the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Theo, Ted, Teddy, Thea
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary society, the name Theodore is often perceived as classic and timeless, associated with wisdom and nobility.
Famous People
Theodore Roosevelt (26th President of the United States), Theodore Dreiser (American novelist), Theodore Maiman (American physicist)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 91 peak births in 1927
Geographic Spread
Popular across 22 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (4 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 4 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 772nd of 7545 | 1,187 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 766th of 6773 | 1,220 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1077th of 7552 | 930 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2074th of 10718 | 327 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5085th of 16616 | 140 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13658th of 24088 | 41 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11349th of 23106 | 57 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
57.84% 819th/1416 |
46.85% 646th/1379 |
40.87% 967th/2366 |
68.30% 780th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
42.69% 660th/1546 |
44.60% 694th/1556 |
44.28% 1042nd/2353 |
52.29% 809th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
39.07% 870th/2227 |
51.28% 1246th/2430 |
57.17% 1631st/2853 |
39.46% 1095th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
58.86% 2050th/3483 |
- |
44.21% 1788th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in South Carolina across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 772nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 766th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1077th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2074th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5085th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13658th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11349th out of 23106 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.