Names › Boys' names › T › Theodore

Theodore

Meaning: gift of God · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

From Greek Theodoros: theos ('god') + doron ('gift'). US President Theodore Roosevelt inspired the 'teddy bear'.

Famous people named Theodore

Theodore Roosevelt (US president)
Theodor Geisel — Dr. Seuss

Nicknames

Theo, Teddy, Ted

Variants & related names

Theodor, Teodoro, Fyodor

Theodore name art

A free preview of a printable “Theodore” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Theodore mean?

Theodore means “gift of God”. It comes from Greek.

Is Theodore a popular name?

Yes — Theodore has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Theodore?

Theo, Teddy, Ted.

What are other forms of Theodore?

Theodor, Teodoro, Fyodor.

Similar names

Damian · Jason · George · Elias · Atlas · Peter

More: names starting with T · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.