Theodore Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Theodore is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Theodore?
Theodore is spelled T-H-E-O-D-O-R-E. The name has 8 letters.
Theodore at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Theodore means “gift of God” from the Greek elements “theos” (god) and “doron” (gift).
- Origin
- Theodore is associated with Greek origins and derives from ancient Greek language components.
- Pronunciation
- THEE-uh-dor THAY-uh-dor · 3 syllables
Theodore Popularity in 2025
Rank#11,932
Recorded Births7
Rank#4
Recorded Births13,355
- Girls usage fell 3,965 places to #11,932 and recorded 6 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage held steady at #4 and recorded 1,286 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Theodore Mean?
Theodore means “gift of God” from the Greek elements “theos” (god) and “doron” (gift).
Origin: Theodore is associated with Greek origins and derives from ancient Greek language components.
How Do You Pronounce Theodore?
PronunciationTHEE-uh-dor THAY-uh-dor
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Theodore?
- History
- The name Theodore has been used historically in various cultures, including Byzantine and Christian contexts, and has been borne by saints and emperors.
Theodore Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2011 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 7 | #11,932 |
| 2025 | Boys | 13,355 | #4 |
| 2024 | Girls | 13 | #7,967 |
| 2024 | Boys | 12,069 | #4 |
| 2023 | Girls | 11 | #8,989 |
| 2023 | Boys | 11,093 | #7 |
| 2022 | Girls | 15 | #7,281 |
| 2022 | Boys | 10,824 | #10 |
| 2021 | Girls | 8 | #11,146 |
| 2021 | Boys | 9,600 | #10 |
| 2020 | Girls | 14 | #7,559 |
| 2020 | Boys | 8,638 | #23 |
| 2019 | Girls | 7 | #12,448 |
| 2019 | Boys | 7,896 | #36 |
| 2018 | Boys | 7,088 | #44 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5,973 | #61 |
| 2016 | Girls | 7 | #12,876 |
| 2016 | Boys | 4,910 | #83 |
| 2015 | Boys | 4,155 | #99 |
| 2014 | Boys | 3,228 | #126 |
| 2013 | Boys | 2,429 | #167 |
| 2012 | Girls | 5 | #16,869 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,945 | #194 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,573 | #230 |
When Was Theodore Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Boys
13,355 recorded births
National rank #4
2024 · Boys
12,069 recorded births
National rank #4
2023 · Boys
11,093 recorded births
National rank #7
2022 · Boys
10,824 recorded births
National rank #10
Where Theodore Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MI | #1 | 490 |
| MN | #1 | 339 |
| KS | #1 | 183 |
| NH | #1 | 101 |
| ME | #1 | 83 |
| WY | #1 | 27 |
| OH | #2 | 611 |
| MO | #2 | 393 |