Theodore

It was the early years of the Common Era and the end of classical times. Many people born between the first and fifth centuries were canonized as saints. About seven of these saints shared the same name: Theodoros. The classical Greek name translates into what made these people saints: each of them was a "gift of God." One of these saints, however, went on to promote his name. 

After the name was anglicized to Theodore in the Middle Ages, a legend covering fourth century martyr St. Theodoros of Amasea (aka St. Theodore) emerged. According to the legend, he rushed into a forest on horseback to slay a dragon. The legend popularized Theodore throughout Europe. 

However, Theodore did not become popular among English-speakers until the 1500s. At the time, several people immigrated to England. What really allowed Theodore to take off, though, was the Tractrarian Movement from the 1830s to the 1840s. It promoted use of names connected with saints, including St. Theodore of Amasea. 

Theodore ranked in the English top 200 in the late Victorian Era. Around the same time, Theodore appeared in the American top 100. It ranked there all the way through the 1940s, when it declined as a retired evergreen classic. According to census data from Galbithink.org, it appeared in the top 50 before 1880, the year the Social Security Administration started keeping name data. Theodore was also a top 50 hit in the middle of the 1900s. That was probably under the influence of then-president Theodore Roosevelt. 

Even after it fell from popularity, Theodore remained in consistent use in both England and the United States. It started to rise again during the turn of the twenty first century. By 2015, Theodore was back in the top 100 in both countries. Over the last few years, it hit the top 10 for the first time. The name isn't just popular in the United States and England, but it has also been a success in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The, Scots, Irish, and French have been using the name, too. 

Theodore is as classic as Thomas, as old-fashioned as Alfread, and as nickname-rich as Benjamin. It has appeared in every era though it has increased in worldwide use over time. Plus, Theodore can be shortened to "Teddy" or "Theo". Thus, children with the name have options. If they find their name two "formal", they can shorten it. If they dislike their nicknames, they can use their full names instead.

NICKNAMES:

Dory, Ted, Teddy, Theo

VARIANTS:

Feodore, Theodoros

STYLES:

Formal, Timeless

SISTERS:

Alice, Martha, Lydia, Josephine, Beatrice, Victoria, Phoebe, Charlotte

BROTHERS:

Abraham, Henry, Benjamin, Frederick, Oliver, Tobias, Samuel, Walter

ALTERNATIVES:

Archibald, Benedict, Edward, Isidore, Lionel, Salvatore, Thaddeus, Theophilus

FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Theodore." Names, Behind the Name, 29 May 2020, https://www.behindthename.com/name/theodore. 

Nickerson, Eleanor. "Theodore." Names of the Week, British Baby Names, 16 Nov. 2014, https://www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2014/11/theodore.html.

What do you think about Theodore?