With Theodore ranked in the US Top Ten now, plenty of parents are looking for names like Theodore.
What qualities do these names share?
- They sound like little gentleman, with polished, timeless vibes
- They shorten to friendly, approachable nicknames
- While they’re undeniably classic, these aren’t necessarily names that come to mind with James and John
Read on for my picks for names like Theodore.
AUGUSTINE
August feels more like a modern word name, but add a syllable and Augustine fits with names like Theodore. It’s substantial and serious, the name of a philosopher and theologian whose teaching as enduring for nearly 2000 years. Nicknames Augie and Gus are delightful and current.
BENEDICT
Maybe Benedict is properly a substitute for Benjamin, as they share the same approachable nickname. But Benedict also substitutes for Theodore, classic names with plenty of syllables. Bridgerton lends this name a bit of swagger.
CONRAD
The Summer I Turned Pretty reinvented once-dusty Conrad as a YA crush name. Decades earlier, the Elvis-like character at the center of Bye, Bye Birdie was a Conrad, too. Every couple of generations, we remember just how handsome this traditional choice can be – just like Theodore.
DOUGLAS
A favorite from the 1940s to 60s, today Douglas is mostly overlooked. But it’s dashing in full – think Douglas Fairbanks, from the silent film era. Or General Douglas MacArthur or actor Michael Douglas. It’s the birth name of hip hop’s Doug E. Fresh and punk’s Dee Dee Ramone.
FREDERICK
Freddie has ranked in England and Wales’ Top 25 for a decade. Frederick has been a Top 100 name even longer. But in the US, handsome Frederick is stuck in style limbo. It’s never left the US Top 1000, but lately it continues to slip out of the Top 500. For this former Top 100 favorite, that’s almost shocking. Parents today are too quick to hear Fred Flinstone instead of Fred Astaire or Frederick Douglass.
HOWARD
Originally an aristocratic surname name, Howard ranked in the US Top 100 from 1880 into the 1950s. Nickname Howie is as cuddly as it gets, and Hoby/Hobie is another option with just as much potential.
LAWRENCE
Shorten it to Lawrie or Wren/Ren, and Lawrence is a whole different name. But Lawrence in full has a classic, vintage, and serious style. Lawrence hasn’t ranked in the US Top 100 since the 1950s, but it’s never fallen completely out of use, either.
LIONEL
Lionel roars, a lion of a name that’s far less common than Leo or Leonardo. It might shorten to Lio/Leo, though. Early Hollywood star Lionel Barrymore is Drew Barrymore’s ancestor; Grammy-winning musician Lionel Richie is Nicole and Sofia’s dad. and that -L ending brings to mind current favorites like Gabriel. Maybe that’s why Lionel is already trending, ranking its highest since the 1980s.
PHILIP, PHILLIP
It doesn’t get more traditional than Philip, a name with roots in the ancient world. From kings of Macedon to France, Philip is effortlessly international and quietly timeless. It’s the given name of Pip in Great Expectations, suggesting one fun, upbeat nickname option. Another is Flip, used in Dutch and easily suggested by the sounds in English, too.
RAPHAEL
If there’s one name that feels most like the next Theodore, it has to Raphael. The Spanish and Portuguese spelling, Rafael, is more common in the US. Both shorten to Rafe, a name that brings to mind Nate and Gabe with that bright A sound.
THADDEUS
For the shared TH alone, Thaddeus could be a Theodore substitute. Thad is an intriguing nickname option. It has a great meaning: heart. And since it appears in the New Testament, Thaddeus’ status as a name with history is indisputable.
VINCENT
As in van Gogh and Lombardi, Pulp Fiction’s Vincent Vega and Entourage’s Vincent Chase. An ancient Roman name with a powerful meaning – conqueror – Vincent is heard in nearly every European language. Vinny and Vinnie are cute, but Vince is handsome. In Italian, it becomes Vincenzo, pronounced with a ‘ch’ sound in the middle, leading to nicknames Cenzo (sounds like Chenzo) and Enzo.
WALLACE
Wally is cuddly and warm. But Wallace is a distinguished name, associated with folk hero William Wallace, as well as authors, athletes, and other notables. It’s one of those names that feels traditional and isn’t often heard – potentially a winning combination. It feels ready for greater use thanks to our love of boy names ending with S. Ellis, Hollis, Wallace. Atticus, Rhodes, Wallace. The sound is right.
Constantine, Antonio, Timothy, Darius.
On a different note, Yuri would be a great name for Theo’s brother.
Great suggestions from Abby.
I also think that Bartholomew or Barnabus could be added to the list.
I would definitely add Nathaniel to this list! Timeless, polished, strong but has a warmth to it and offers wonderful nickname options like Nate and Nat!