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.
The name Theadore has seen fluctuating popularity over the years, with significant variations in birth numbers from decade to decade. Between 1880 and 1929, there was a slow but steady increase in births, reaching a peak of 87 births in 1925. However, from 1930 onwards, there's a noticeable decline, with fewer than 80 births per year recorded for most years until the late 1960s.
The name's popularity seemed to reach its lowest point between the late 1960s and early 1970s, with single-digit births per year from 1967 to 1974. Since then, there has been a significant drop in the number of newborns named Theadore each year, with the total reaching just 5 births in recent years like 2020, 2021, and 2023.
In total, over 3993 babies were named Theadore from 1880 to 2023. However, it's clear that this name has fallen out of favor in recent decades, with parents seemingly preferring other names for their children.