Boy · 42nd of 23,106
Theodore
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
304,723
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
12,024
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Theodore stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Theodore is a Greek name meaning 'gift of God'. It has evolved through various languages from its ancient Greek roots to its modern form in English. The name is associated with positive traits such as kindness and intelligence. It does not have a direct biblical significance, but it has historical relevance due to its association with saints. The name has gained popularity since the Middle Ages and remains a favored choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈθiːədɔːr/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Theodore is derived from the Greek name 'Theodoros', which combines the elements 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'doron' meaning 'gift', thus translating to 'gift of God'.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Theodoros (Ancient Greek), Theodorus (Latin), Theodor (Old French), Theodore (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Theodore gained popularity in the Christian world, especially during the early Middle Ages due to various saints bearing the name, including Saint Theodore of Amasea.
Variants & Derivatives
Theo, Ted, Teddy, Teodore, Theodora
Modern Popularity & Image
Theodore is currently perceived as a classic yet trendy name, often associated with intelligence and kindness, and has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Famous People
Theodore Roosevelt - 26th President of the United States, Theodore Dreiser - American novelist and journalist, Theodore Maiman - American physicist and inventor of the laser
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 12,024 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 57th of 7545 | 52,635 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 78th of 6773 | 45,614 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 127th of 7552 | 52,013 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 173rd of 10718 | 24,496 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 240th of 16616 | 18,022 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 286th of 24088 | 18,259 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 42nd of 23106 | 87,817 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2337th of 9107 | 254 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2500th of 9204 | 226 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3980th of 12526 | 179 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5647th of 19264 | 141 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10851st of 27321 | 82 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 12951st of 30306 | 75 |