| French form | Théodore |
| Pronunciation | tay-oh-DOR |
| Meaning | Gift of God |
| Language origin | French / Greek (Theodoros — theos + doron) |
| Gender | Male (Théodora / Théodore used for both historically) |
| Name day | 9 November (France) |
Théodore derives from the Greek Theodoros, composed of theos (God) and doron (gift). It is therefore a precise parallel of Dorothée (Dorothy) — both names mean "gift of God" but with the elements reversed: Théodore is "God's gift" (theos-doron), while Dorothée is "gift of God" (doron-theos). The names' mirrored construction was noticed by medieval Christian scholars who saw in it a pleasing symmetry.
The name entered the Western Christian tradition through a series of early saints and Byzantine emperors. Its Greek origin gave it an intellectual and ecclesiastical prestige distinct from the more common Latin or Frankish names of medieval France. In France, Théodore was associated with learning, the Church, and the educated classes rather than with popular piety or common usage.
Théodore was never among the most common French names but maintained a continuous distinguished presence across the centuries. It was favoured by educated and aristocratic families and became particularly fashionable during the Romantic period (roughly 1815–1850), when French Romanticism's enthusiasm for Greece, medieval history, and classical antiquity made Greek-origin names attractive. The great French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault is the definitive embodiment of this era.
The name has experienced a strong revival in 21st-century France, where it is currently among the most fashionable traditional names for boys. French parents seeking a name that is classical, French, internationally recognisable, and not over-used have turned to Théodore in large numbers from the 2010s onward.
French-American: Théodore is found in Louisiana and Quebec colonial records, typically in educated Creole and merchant families. Its long form and Greek origin made it less common in rural communities, which tended towards simpler names. In the United States, Theodore was a recognised English form, making the name portable across linguistic boundaries. Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States (1901–1909), made the English form enormously prominent in American culture.
Québécois: Quebec used Théodore consistently if not commonly through the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the educated and clerical classes. The name's classical prestige made it a reliable choice for families aspiring to distinction. Modern Quebec has participated in the Théodore revival alongside France, and it currently appears in the upper tier of Quebec baby names.
Théodore Géricault (1791–1824) — French Romantic painter, creator of Le Radeau de la Méduse (The Raft of the Medusa, 1818–1819), one of the most powerful and politically charged works in the history of French painting. He died at 32, leaving an influence that shaped Delacroix and the entire Romantic generation.
Théodore de Bèze (1519–1605) — French Protestant theologian and successor to John Calvin in Geneva. His defence of Protestantism and his translation work shaped the French Reformed Church and the Huguenot tradition.
Théodore Rousseau (1812–1867) — French landscape painter and leading figure of the Barbizon School, whose naturalistic depictions of the Forest of Fontainebleau anticipated Impressionism and established the Barbizon movement as a major force in French art.
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