Theodore is a name of Greek origin, derived from the two words "theos" meaning god and "dōr" meaning gift. Therefore, Theodore means "gift of God." This name has been used since ancient times but it was popularized by Saint Theodore of Amasea, who was a Roman soldier and Christian martyr in the 4th century.
Theodore was also borne by several notable figures throughout history. In the medieval period, there were several Holy Roman Emperors named Theodore. In the modern era, Theodore Roosevelt served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. This name has also been used in literature and art, such as in the character of Theodore "Teddy" Lawson in the novel "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway.
Today, Theodore continues to be a popular name for boys around the world. It is often shortened to Theo or Teddy, but it can also be spelled Theodore or even Ted. Regardless of how it's spelled or what nickname is used, this name carries with it a rich history and meaningful significance.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Theodore in the United States from 1880 to 2023, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1880 to 1915, there were fewer than 60 births per year with this name. However, starting in 1915, there was a significant increase in the number of births with the name Theodore, reaching a peak of 91 births in 1927.
The popularity of the name Theodore remained relatively stable from 1928 to 1946, with an average of around 60-70 births per year. After this period, there was another decline in its popularity, with fewer than 50 births per year recorded between 1947 and 1959.
Interestingly, the name Theodore experienced a resurgence in popularity from 1960 to 1972, with an average of around 30-40 births per year. However, its popularity declined once again during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than 20 births recorded annually between 1974 and 1985.
Since 1986, there have been relatively few births with the name Theodore each year in the United States. Between 1986 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name has fluctuated between 5 and 14, with a total of 3993 births recorded over this period.
Overall, while the name Theodore has experienced periods of popularity and decline throughout history in the United States, it remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents.