Rising since 2011, #1,621 for boys today.
Popularity of Theoden since 2004
Babies named Theoden per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 58 |
| 2010s | 193 |
| 2020s | 456 |
Meaning & origin
Theoden is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 2004, likely inspired by the character from J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'. It has been steadily rising in popularity since 2011, and as of 2025 it ranks 1,621 with about 1 in 16,424 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak year so far is 2025, indicating growing traction among parents seeking literary or Old English inspired names. The name is most favored in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Utah, reflecting a preference for distinctive, mythologically resonant names in those states.
Theoden is a modern coinage, primarily known through J.R.R. Tolkien's character Théoden, King of Rohan, in 'The Lord of the Rings'. The name was crafted by Tolkien from Old English elements: þeod 'people, nation' and perhaps denu 'valley' or the suffix -en. It has seen limited real-world use since the early 2000s, largely inspired by the literary work.
Where Theoden is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Theoden” around the world
Where Theoden lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Theo, Denny
Variants: Théoden
Sibling names for Theoden
Names that share Theoden's style, for a brother or sister.
