The name Theodore originates from the Greek language and dates back to ancient times. It is derived from the words "theos" meaning "God" and "doron" meaning "gift", thus translating to "gift of God". The name was popular in ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire.

One of the earliest known references to the name Theodore can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it mentions a man named Theodore who was among the Seventy Disciples sent out by Jesus Christ. The name also appears in various Greek and Byzantine texts and historical records.

The first recorded example of the name Theodore can be traced back to the 4th century AD, with Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD), a renowned theologian and bishop in the early Christian church. Another notable figure from this era was Theodore the Studite (759-826 AD), a Byzantine monk, abbot, and writer who played a significant role in the revival of monasticism in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In the Middle Ages, the name Theodore gained popularity across Europe. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the 26th President of the United States, known for his leadership during the Progressive Era and his conservation efforts.

Other notable individuals with the name Theodore include Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945), an American novelist and pioneer of naturalism in literature, and Theodore Geisel (1904-1991), better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's author and illustrator.

In the realm of science, Theodore von Kármán (1881-1963) was a Hungarian-American mathematician, aerospace engineer, and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of aerodynamics and the development of the modern air transportation industry.

The name Theodore has also been borne by many rulers and monarchs throughout history, such as Theodore I (1589-1655), the Solomonic Emperor of Ethiopia, and Theodore II (1818-1868), the last Emperor of the Abyssinian Empire.