The given name Tewodros has its origins in the ancient Ge'ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It can be traced back to the 4th century AD, during the Aksumite Empire in what is now modern-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia.

Tewodros is derived from the combination of two Ge'ez words: "Tewodu" meaning "love" and "ros" meaning "raised" or "elevated." Thus, the name Tewodros can be interpreted as "one who is raised in love" or "beloved one."

The name appears in several ancient religious texts and historical records from the Aksumite Empire and the subsequent Zagwe and Solomonic dynasties of Ethiopia. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century account of the origins of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Tewodros. One of the most prominent was Emperor Tewodros II (1818-1868), who ruled Ethiopia from 1855 until his death in 1868. He is known for his efforts to modernize and unify the country, as well as his conflicts with the British Empire.

Another notable Tewodros was Tewodros Kassa (1818-1868), a 19th-century Ethiopian ruler who briefly reigned as Emperor Tewodros II before his downfall and subsequent imprisonment by the British.

In the realm of religion, Tewodros Mekuria (1914-1988) was an Ethiopian bishop and patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1976 until his death in 1988.

Tewodros Ashenafi (1938-1982) was an Ethiopian writer and playwright, known for his work in promoting Amharic literature and theatre.

Tewodros Kassahun, better known by his stage name Teddy Afro (born 1976), is a contemporary Ethiopian singer, songwriter, and activist, widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in Ethiopian music.