Θεόδωρος

Theodore

boyGreekChristian

Theodore is a Christian boy name of Greek origin, meaning “Gift of God”.

MeaningGift of God
GenderBoy
OriginGreek
Written asΘεόδωρος
PronunciationTHEE-uh-dor
TraditionChristian
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, Greece

Meaning and origin of Theodore

Theodore comes from Greek Theodoros, from theos, 'God', and doron, 'gift'. It was borne by several early saints, including Theodore of Tarsus, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in the seventh century. US President Theodore Roosevelt gave the world the nickname Teddy and, through a famous story, the teddy bear. The name has surged in popularity in the twenty-first century. Short forms include Theo, Ted and Teddy.

Is Theodore a Christian name?

Theodore is not found in the Bible, but it is a long-standing Christian name honoured by many saints in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

How popular is Theodore?

Very popular in English-speaking countries since the 2010s.

Gifts with the name Theodore

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Spellings and variants of Theodore

TeodoroFyodorTheoTed

Names similar to Theodore

More Christian boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Theodore mean?

Theodore means 'Gift of God'. It is of Greek origin.

Is Theodore a Christian name?

Theodore is not found in the Bible, but it is a long-standing Christian name honoured by many saints in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

How do you pronounce Theodore?

Theodore is pronounced THEE-uh-dor.

Is Theodore a boy or girl name?

Theodore is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.