An abbreviation of the name Theodore, meaning "gift of God" in Greek. Less commonly, it can be used as an abbreviation of the name Theobald, a Germanic name meaning "bold people". Theodore Origin: Greek Meaning: Gift of God Theodore comes from the Greek name Theodoros (Θεόδωρος) and means "gift of God" (from the elements theos (θεός) - god and doron (δῶρον) - gift). The name was popular in classical Greece and several Christian saints eventually bore the name, however, it was relatively rare in Britain prior to the 19th century. It is currently at its most popular.