boys' name · peaked 2022

Theodor

A male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek], variant of Theodore.

Every Theodor since 1884 — 2,216 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 2022Boys
Rank 2025
#2,004
among boys
Babies in 2025
76
named Theodor
Peak year
2022
88 babies
All-time total
2,216
since 1884

The story of Theodor

Theodor is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,004 in 2025 with 76 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1884, 2,216 American babies have been named Theodor. Its peak came in 2022, when 88 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Theodor stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Theodor year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 76 #2,004
2024 71 #2,115
2023 86 #1,864
2022 88 #1,836
2021 70 #2,094
2020 79 #1,892
2019 85 #1,814
2018 65 #2,164
2017 54 #2,414
2016 62 #2,203
2015 54 #2,408
2014 56 #2,342
2013 45 #2,664
2012 20 #4,843
2011 25 #4,095
2010 26 #3,982
2009 21 #4,728
2008 20 #4,878
2007 21 #4,623
2006 16 #5,498
2005 22 #4,178
2004 18 #4,775
2003 12 #6,213
2002 24 #3,660
2001 16 #4,868
2000 19 #4,188
1995 16 #4,031
1990 12 #4,643
1985 11 #4,025
1980 11 #3,821
1975
1970 12 #2,876
1965 11 #2,601
1960 15 #2,199
1955 13 #2,297
1950 11 #2,427
1945 5 #3,732
1940 11 #2,308
1935 10 #2,514
1930 13 #2,282
1925 16 #2,078
1920 11 #2,745
1915 15 #1,959
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Theodor

  1. Theodor Herzl Writer · 1860–1904
  2. Theodor W. Adorno Sociologist · 1903–1969
  3. Theodor Mommsen Archaeologist · 1817–1903
  4. Theodor Eicke Military personnel · 1892–1943
  5. Theodor Heuss Politician · 1884–1963

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Theodor mean?

A male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek], variant of Theodore.

How popular is the name Theodor in 2025?

Theodor ranked #2,004 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 76 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Theodor?

2,216 babies have been named Theodor in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Theodor most popular?

Theodor peaked in 2022, when 88 newborns received the name.

Is Theodor a boy or girl name?

Theodor is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Theodor rising or falling?

Theodor is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Theodor?

Well-known people named Theodor include Theodor Herzl (writer), Theodor W. Adorno (sociologist), Theodor Mommsen (archaeologist).

Names like Theodor

Compare Theodor with similar names →