Theodore
/ˈθiː.ə.dɔːr/noun
A masculine given name meaning “gift of God.”
Did you know?The name was popularized in the Christian world by saints and martyrs, which helped turn an ancient Greek theophoric name into a lasting symbol of sacred favor.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Theódōros (Θεόδωρος)
““Gift of God,” from theos “god” + dōron “gift””
Late Antiquity
Greek
Theódōros
“Used as a personal name among Greek speakers and early Christians”
Latin
Latin
Theodorus
“Latinized form of the Greek name”
Old French
French
Teodore / Théodore
“Continued as a learned and ecclesiastical name”
Modern English
English
Theodore
“A male given name”