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HelpA replacement for Theodore
I've been set on naming a potential son Theodore for about 10 years now, before the popularity of the name really picked up. I was a bit gutted when it became so popular. With my own name being semi-popular growing up (if not falling out of fashion entirely by the time I had it), I remember wishing I'd had a name with more identity to it. Ideally, I'd like a name with personality but could hold up in a professional setting if need be. I'm not interested in over-used names that can come off as lacking personality (John, James, Thomas, Charles, etc.)
What names would you suggest in place of Theodore that sort of hit that classical vibe without being so drained of personality due to over-use?
Some other names I like but am not entirely sold on: Rhys, Leon, Isidore, Edmund, Nathaniel, Leander, Cassander.
Thank you in advance!
What names would you suggest in place of Theodore that sort of hit that classical vibe without being so drained of personality due to over-use?
Some other names I like but am not entirely sold on: Rhys, Leon, Isidore, Edmund, Nathaniel, Leander, Cassander.
Thank you in advance!
Replies
Rupert
Reuben
Thaddeus
Alaric
Aldrich
Edwin
Wilhelm
Wilmer
Desmond
Emerson
Vaughn
Victor
Vincent
Demetrius
Marcel
Marius
Armand
Eugene
Jethro
Jericho
Rafferty
Roscoe
Montgomery
Lamont
Lamar
Dante
Emrys
Malcolm
Roland
Stellan
Lysander
Quentin
Ames
Reuben
Thaddeus
Alaric
Aldrich
Edwin
Wilhelm
Wilmer
Desmond
Emerson
Vaughn
Victor
Vincent
Demetrius
Marcel
Marius
Armand
Eugene
Jethro
Jericho
Rafferty
Roscoe
Montgomery
Lamont
Lamar
Dante
Emrys
Malcolm
Roland
Stellan
Lysander
Quentin
Ames
I feel you. I also dislike Theodore's booming popularity. It's been on my list since I was about 8, if not younger. I'd still use it in a heartbeat though. It's just so wonderful.
That being said, here are some ideas from my own list since we seem to have similar styles.
Arthur
August
Benedict
Dorian
Elias
Felix
Frederick
Matthias
Raphael
Sebastian
Some other suggestions:
Evander
Ansel
Caius
Ambrose
Thaddeus
Phineas
Quentin
Roland
Aurelian
Hadrian
That being said, here are some ideas from my own list since we seem to have similar styles.
Arthur
August
Benedict
Dorian
Elias
Felix
Frederick
Matthias
Raphael
Sebastian
Some other suggestions:
Evander
Ansel
Caius
Ambrose
Thaddeus
Phineas
Quentin
Roland
Aurelian
Hadrian
I went digging into my medieval male name database which has over 6000 historical names from different regions of the era. (My favorite era for naming if I'm honest) I searched for names that still contained the "Theo" and the "Dore" elements and this is what I found.
Theo:
Phytheon
Theobald
Theobaldus
Theocharistus
Theoclymnius
Theoctistus
Theocydes
Theodahad
Théodard
Theodbald
Theodehad
Theodekles
Theodemar
Theodemer
Theoderic
Theodericus
Theoderid
Theodilacus
Theodo
Theodoracius
Theodore
Theodoretus
Theodoric
Theodoricus
Theodoros
Theodorus
Theodotus
Theodric
Theodulf
Theodulph
Theodulus
Theogenius
Theognis
Theomestor
Theomestros
Theon
Theopemptus
Theophanes
Theophilius
Theophilus
Theophrastos
Theophrastus
Theophylact
Theophylactus
Theophylaktos
Theopompos
Theopompus
Theopropides
Theoros
Theos
Theotimus
Theotpert
Wealdtheow
"Dore":
Doreios
Doreius
Theo:
Phytheon
Theobald
Theobaldus
Theocharistus
Theoclymnius
Theoctistus
Theocydes
Theodahad
Théodard
Theodbald
Theodehad
Theodekles
Theodemar
Theodemer
Theoderic
Theodericus
Theoderid
Theodilacus
Theodo
Theodoracius
Theodore
Theodoretus
Theodoric
Theodoricus
Theodoros
Theodorus
Theodotus
Theodric
Theodulf
Theodulph
Theodulus
Theogenius
Theognis
Theomestor
Theomestros
Theon
Theopemptus
Theophanes
Theophilius
Theophilus
Theophrastos
Theophrastus
Theophylact
Theophylactus
Theophylaktos
Theopompos
Theopompus
Theopropides
Theoros
Theos
Theotimus
Theotpert
Wealdtheow
"Dore":
Doreios
Doreius
Agree with the idea of Isidore / Isadore, but personally, I am quite partial to historical Theodoric. Not everyone's cup of tea since it's a bit more eccentric, but it is similar enough to have a similar "Vibe" as Theodore. I think it has a slightly less "nerdy" image to it too which is a plus. Theon is another option, or Theo as it is.
Edit: I'm honestly quite surprised to see no one else recommended Theodoric yet. It seems quite obvious to me as a name nerd.
Edit: I'm honestly quite surprised to see no one else recommended Theodoric yet. It seems quite obvious to me as a name nerd.
This message was edited 4/12/2025, 5:29 PM
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Isidore / Isadore. I love it and it’s obviously quite similar to Theodore but massively more t rare. And Izzy is a cool nn for a boy.
Edit: Oops! I just saw it on your list! lol Anyway I still recommend it ;)
Also if it’s the nn Theo you like maybe Cleo? It used to be a unisex name and I think it’s very handsome for a man.
Edit: Oops! I just saw it on your list! lol Anyway I still recommend it ;)
Also if it’s the nn Theo you like maybe Cleo? It used to be a unisex name and I think it’s very handsome for a man.
This message was edited 4/12/2025, 5:41 AM
I like Tobias but I am not a fan of Toby, which would be the inevitable nickname. It's striking for a character, though, I think you made a good literary choice! Thank you
How about Edward or Edmund, and call him Ted?
I love Edmund! I never thought about using it with the nickname Ted. I like that idea a lot, thank you!
I love Desmond and Raphael. Lucian and Lionel are creeping up there, too. Percival is sadly on hold for our next pet according to partner lol. Thank you!
I love Etienne and Lysander. Ellis is really nice, too. Thank you!
I don't think you need to worry so much about the popularity of Theodore.
Today's popular names can't be compared to those that were popular in the past; the days of having five Michaels and three Jessicas in every class are pretty much over, I've seen the class lists. If you look at the data for Theodore, it's the 7th most popular name in the USA, but the number of times it's been used is only 11,041 - in the ENTIRE United States, where 3.5 million babies were born in 2023. That's not many at all, if you think about it. If we compare when the name Jennifer was the #7 name, in 1989, it was used nearly 24,000 times, twice as often as Theodore is today. It's very possible that your Theodore will be the only one in his class. So if you love it, don't feel you must give it up.
But, to play along, I'll suggest:
Ambrose
Phineas
Dorian
Feodor
Tudor
Homer
Albert
Eugene
Today's popular names can't be compared to those that were popular in the past; the days of having five Michaels and three Jessicas in every class are pretty much over, I've seen the class lists. If you look at the data for Theodore, it's the 7th most popular name in the USA, but the number of times it's been used is only 11,041 - in the ENTIRE United States, where 3.5 million babies were born in 2023. That's not many at all, if you think about it. If we compare when the name Jennifer was the #7 name, in 1989, it was used nearly 24,000 times, twice as often as Theodore is today. It's very possible that your Theodore will be the only one in his class. So if you love it, don't feel you must give it up.
But, to play along, I'll suggest:
Ambrose
Phineas
Dorian
Feodor
Tudor
Homer
Albert
Eugene
Thank you for the comforting data! That does make me feel a lot better about the name. My family has this weird generational thing where we'll have super common names one generation, and the next will go really weird to break free from it, and that generation will be annoyed no one can say their name... I'd love a happy medium!
I like Dorian and Ambrose. They're very broody Victorian! Thank you.
I like Dorian and Ambrose. They're very broody Victorian! Thank you.
I love Theodore as well, and was sure for a few years that I would use it for a son. My sons ended up being named Hugo and Oliver instead.
What about;
Vincent
Maximilian
Solomon
Augustine / August
Leopold
Cassius
Horatio
What about;
Vincent
Maximilian
Solomon
Augustine / August
Leopold
Cassius
Horatio
Hugo and Oliver are such handsome names!
I like August a lot. My current partner's cat is Augustus but it's a name I'll hang onto in case things don't work out :P
I like Cassius and the Leo in Leopold, but not sold on the -pold. Horatio would be a total guilty pleasure. Thank you!
I like August a lot. My current partner's cat is Augustus but it's a name I'll hang onto in case things don't work out :P
I like Cassius and the Leo in Leopold, but not sold on the -pold. Horatio would be a total guilty pleasure. Thank you!
I really like Alistair, Evander and Casimir. Lionel is a family name that I've started to come around to, as well. Thank you!
Clement and Anselm are two of my favorite male names. I think they evoke Theodore's accessible stateliness.
This message was edited 4/11/2025, 8:58 AM
Anselm is lovely! I like Clement in the way I like Claude-- I think it's the way you said it, accessible stateliness.
Just a few, off the top of my head. I haven't checked any of them for popularity in the US.
Adrian Antony (or Anton) Barnaby Darius Dominic Matthias Nicholas Raymond Timothy
Adrian Antony (or Anton) Barnaby Darius Dominic Matthias Nicholas Raymond Timothy
I do have a soft spot in my heart for Nicholas and Matthias. I like Adrian, too. Thank you!