Theodore is a name of Greek origin, derived from the words "theos" meaning "god" and "dorio" meaning "gift". Therefore, Theodore translates to "gift of God". This name has been used throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its religious significance.
One of the most notable historical figures with this name was Saint Theodore of Tarsus, who lived in the 7th century. He is considered a martyr by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Another famous figure is Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. This demonstrates the enduring popularity and significance of the name Theodore.
The name Theodore was also used in various forms of literature and art throughout history. For instance, it appears in works such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain, where a character named Theodore ("Teddy") is portrayed. Today, Theodore continues to be popular among parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their sons. It has consistently ranked among the top 1000 boys' names in the United States since the early 20th century.
Overall, Theodore is a name with deep historical roots and significant meaning that continues to resonate today. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its strong association with religious devotion, historical figures, and classic literature.
Theodore is a classic and timeless name that has seen various trends over the years in the United States. In the late 19th century, Theodore was consistently popular among parents, with birth numbers fluctuating between 178 to 450 births per year from 1880 to 1901.
The early 20th century marked a significant increase in popularity for Theodore, with over 600 births each year starting from 1902. The name reached its first peak in 1912, with 1561 births, and continued to rise until 1917 when it peaked again at 2809 births.
After a brief decline during the Great Depression and World War II, Theodore's popularity resurged in the post-war era. Between 1946 and 1953, Theodore consistently had over 2000 births each year, reaching another peak of 3268 births in 1952.
However, starting from the mid-1950s, Theodore's popularity began to decline steadily. From 1957 onwards, annual births with the name Theodore were consistently under 2500 until the late 1960s when it dropped below 2000 births per year.
Theodore continued its descent in popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than 1300 births each year. It reached an all-time low in 1972 with only 1422 births.
Remarkably, Theodore started to regain popularity in the late 1980s, slowly but steadily climbing back up until it peaked again in recent years. In 2022, Theodore was the 5th most popular baby boy name in the United States, with a total of 11041 births.
Over the past century and a half, Theodore has seen numerous ups and downs in popularity among American parents. Despite these fluctuations, the name has consistently remained in the top 1000 names for boys, demonstrating its enduring appeal as a classic choice.