If this name just says singing chipmunk to you, you’re missing quite a bit of the story.
Thanks to Katharine for suggesting one of our personal favorites as Name of the Day: Theodore.
Well before chubby chipmunk Theodore Seville first appeared on television with Alvin and Simon in the 1960s, this moniker was well established. In fact, it stretches back to pre-Christian times, making the animated rodent more of a footnote than a defining figure.
The Greek name was Theodoros or Theodorus, and anyone with a smattering of linguistic skills can pick apart the meaning. Theos means god; doron means gift – God’s gift. Flip the elements around and you arrive at the feminine Dorothy – but that’s another tale.
It’s tough to pin down exact stats on usage in the ancient world, but safe to say that Theodore was probably as common as William or James. Notable bearers of the name include:
- A pioneering sixth century BC architect was known as Theodorus of Samos;
- In the 400s BC, Theodorus of Cyrene developed early mathematical theories related to square roots;
- In the fourth century BC, philosopher Theodorus Atheus was best known for his lack of belief in the gods;
- A few centuries later, the soldier Theodore of Amasea was martyred for his Christian convinctions in the 400s AD and eventually sainted;
- Around the same time, Biblical scholar Theodore of Mopsuestia was writing. He’d eventually be sainted by the Eastern Orthodox Church and inspire many a Theodore in the East;
- 7th century Byzantine military leader Theodore Trithyrius is one of many Eastern bearers of the name;
- In the same era, Saint Theodore of Tarsus served as archbishop of Canterbury;
- A few hundred years later, Saint Theodore of Studium would help revive monastic life in Byzantium.
Add in a pair of popes and the rulers of Naples, Russia, Corsica, Ethiopia, Antioch and Montferrat and this was a widely known name well before the 19th century.
But not until around 1800 did the name become popular in English, when those creative Victorians finally discovered Theodore. And so in addition to the ancient and medieval bearers, there are literary Theodores (Dreiser, Roethke) and, of course, the 26th president of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt.
While there aren’t tons of nicknames for this classic appellation, the available choices are appealing – the vibrant Theo, the cuddly Teddy and the throwback Ted.
Perhaps best of all, Theodore has yet to re-enter the Top 100 in the US – he’s at a respectable, but far from common #301.
If you’re looking for an indisputable classic with easy nickname choices and a brainy sound, it’s tough to do much better than Theodore.
Oh, I love Theodore! He’s my favorite, living Uncle too! (one if Dad’s brothers). Sadly, I’ve already used Simon. Leo, Simon & Theodore is asking for “hey, where’s Alvin?” jokes. Nevewrmind, because the Uncle’s Ted/Teo(now that he’s in NM), Theo would be my choice of nicknames; again, Leo, Simon & Theo? *sigh* Locked out of an awesome name!
I think Theodore is awesome. Strong, handsome, warm & friendly. Teddy’s adorable on a little one, Ted & Ed are classically handsome, Ned is a fresher option that warms my heart, Teo’s cool and Theo’s smart. Theodore’s an all out winner. I mourn his loss often.
Thanks for making Theodore name of the day Verity, s you know I struggle with boys names but I do love Theodore, he’s so strong, proper and classical sounding but without being too mainstream. I’m not a fan of Theo though – I’ve come across too many namby-pamby Theo’s in my time! But I adore Ted or Teddy, I’m swooning at the thought…
Theodore’s one of my top ten boys. He’d be Theo, thought. For the full-blown Theodore I’d be fearful of him being called Theodore-the-bore. My poor boy!
Ted’s a little too How I Met Your Mother for me, and Teddy is Teddy Roosevelt. Theo’s my artsy little boy.
I think Ted and Teddy are the only options for me. To me Theo will always be a Huxtable. Theodore is my husband’s middle name and his grandfather’s first name. Seeing as our son has my husband’s father’s name as his middle name, I’ve had it with using family names! I’m going for originality next time. At most I’ll use an S or an L to honor my grandparents, but no name copies!
I think Ted and Teddy are the only options for me. To me Theo will always be a Huxtable. Theodore is my husband’s middle name and his grandfather’s first name. Seeing as our son has my husband’s father’s name as his middle name, I’ve had it with using family names! I’m going for originality next time. At most I’ll use an S or an L to honor my grandparents, but no name copies!
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I really like Theodore. In fact, I think it’s creeping close to #1 on my boys’ list. It does nix using Simon as a middle name, sadly, which I’ve always liked due to family. I like Ted/Teddy for nicknames – sounds like a friendly, likable, everyman. Theo seems like it’s trying too hard. I could see Dory, too, maybe for a young child.
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